REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 9 



In regard to the first question, I may be allowed to say that as the 

 Smithsonian Institution was compelled by an act of Congress to erect 

 the present building, which has cost in all nearly $500,000, principally for 

 the accommodation of the National Museum, it would now be manifestly 

 unjust to the former establishment to transfer the specimens, as has 

 been proposed, from the present edifice to the new building contemplated 

 for the accommodation of the National Library. The plau, therefore, 

 which, in my opinion, should be adopted is for the Government to take 

 entire possession of the present edifice, making such additions to it from 

 time to time as would be required for the care and exhibition of the 

 increasing collections, and to repay the Smithsonian Institution for at 

 least a portion of the cost of the building, the latter to erect a sepa- 

 rate edifice in the vicinity, better suited to its wants, with a portion 

 of the money thus repaid, the remainder being added to the principal 

 of the Smithson fund. 



In regard to the second question, whether the connection which now 

 exists between the National Museum and the Smithsonian Institution 

 should continue as it is without modification, I would say that it is 

 desirable that a more definite distinction between the two establishments, 

 if not an entire separation, should be made. 



According to the existing arrangement, it is necessary that the Insti- 

 tution should apply to Congress every year for an appropriation for the 

 support of the museum, and it is therefore presented to the world as a 

 suppliant for perpetual aid, whereas, for carrying out the legitimate ob- 

 jects of the bequest, no annual appropriation is necessary from the public 

 Treasury; for although more than one-half of the whole income of the 

 Smithson bequest has been devoted to a museum and other local ob- 

 jects, it has succeeded (through its researches, its publications, and 

 its exchanges) in establishing a reputation as extensive as the civilized 

 world ; and I doubt not, from the disposition which Congress has pre- 

 viously shown to faithfully discharge the duty which it has devolved 

 upon itself in accepting the guardianship of a trust for the benefit of 

 mankind, it will not refuse, when the public finances are in a better 

 condition, to repay to the Smithson fund at least a portion of the amount 

 which, through a misapprehension of the will of the founder, has been 

 devoted to the National Museum, and also to make such separate pro- 

 vision for the maintenance of the latter establishment as will obviate 

 the necessity of a constant appeal to Congress, on the part of the Insti- 

 tution, for aid not necessary for its own operations. 



Furthermore, the museum is destined to an extension far beyond its 

 present magnitude. It is an object of much interest to all who visit the 

 National Capital, and is of great value as exhibiting the natural re- 

 sources of the country, as well as a means of public education; and as 

 Smithson intended the Institution founded by his bequest as a monu- 

 ment to himself, since he gave it his own name, it is not proper that it 

 should be merged in any establishment of the Government, nor, on the 



