REPORT 



THE SECRETARY, PROFESSOR HENRY, 



18 67. 



To the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution : 



Gentlemen: The close of the year 1866 completed the second de- 

 cade of the actual operations of the Smithsonian Institution. It was 

 chartered in August, 1846; though but little more was accomplished 

 during that year than a discussion of plans, and the appointment of 

 the Secretary, the principal executive officer. 



On thus commencing a new decade in the history of the Institu- 

 tion, we may pause a few moments to recall some facts relative to 

 the character, the acceptance, and the administration of the endow- 

 ment of Smithson, which it is important always to keep in view. This 

 will be evident when we reflect on the changeable character of the 

 bodies constituting the guardians of the trust. Not a single Regent 

 on the list of those originally appointed is now a member of the board, 

 and indeed, with perhaps one single exception, all the members of 

 Congress and the principal officers of the general government have been 

 changed, and in some cases many times in succession. Under these 

 circumstances it becomes desirable that frequent reference should be 

 had to the original principles on which the Institution was founded, 

 as well as to those on which its affairs are now conducted. 



The endowment was one of no ordinary character; it was confided 

 to our government not by one of its own citizens, but by a distin- 

 guished foreigner, the scion of an ancient house renowned for its 

 achievements in English history. It was not given in trust to our 

 government to be disposed of for the exclusive benefit of a portion 

 of our own people, or even for that of the whole nation, but in behalf 

 of the general family of mankind, for the benefit of men of all coun- 



