18 EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



societies, the number of sets and volumes of which are constantly 

 increasing- through the Smitlisonian exchanges, is an important feature 

 of the National Library, while the use of the books on special subjects 

 belonging to the Government greatly enlarges the facilities for investi- 

 gation of the collaborators of the Institution. From the first, a har- 

 monious co-operation has existed between the two establishments, and 

 on all occasions we have found Mr. Spofford, the accomplished librarian 

 of Congress, ready to consult the interests of the Institution, and insert 

 on his list of purchases any work which we might indicate as desirable 

 for scientific research. Professor Gill, formerly in charge of the Smith- 

 sonian library, and now one of the principal assistants in the Library of 

 Congress, still continues his connection with the Institution, and in 

 spending, as he does, most of the hours unemployed in official duty in 

 scientific research at the Smithsonian building, affords the means of 

 constant communication. 



The National Library is rapidly increasing in value, both in regard 

 to the number and the character of the books which are annually added to 

 its collections. The sources of increase are, first, the books purchased 

 by the liberal appropriation of Congress ; second, the Smithsonian ex- 

 changes ; and, third, the deposit of books in accordance with the copy- 

 right law. From this last source it has lately received a very large 

 addition of all the American works secured by copy-right since the first 

 enactment of the copy-right law, and previously in charge of the Secre- 

 tary of the Interior. These books exhibit the phases of thought and 

 the progress of the mental activity of this country for nearly half a 

 century, and have, therefore, a special value independent of their literary 

 or scientific character. 



At the time of the organization of the Smithsonian Institution, Con- 

 gress directed that in order to secure the right of authorship of a book 

 three copies of it should be deposited as evidence of title, one in the 

 library of the Institution, another in that of Congress, and a third in 

 the office of the United States district court. In the case of a costly 

 work, perhaps in several volumes, this was a tax on the arfthor or pub- 

 lisher for the protection of his property which was not improperly con- 

 sidered oppressive. From considerations of justice, therefore, as well as 

 of a prudent regard to the cost of the care of these books, the Smithso- 

 nian Institution was the first to petition Congress that the law might be 

 so modified that only two copies should be required to be deposited as 

 evidence of title, and these in the Library of Congress. The proposi- 

 tion suggested in this petition was adopted, and I believe the law en- 

 acted in accordance with it now meets with general approbation. It 

 is of some importance that this fact should be mentioned, because copies 

 of books are still occasionally sent to the Institution from a want of a 

 knowledge of the existing law. 



Besides the general library of the Government in the Capitol each of 

 the separate Departments, as well as several of the bureaus, has a spe- 



