REPORT OF PROFESSOR HENRY, SECRETARY OF THE SMITH- 

 SONIAN INSTITUTION, TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS, FOR THE 

 YEAR 1876. 



Gentlemen : I have the honor herewith to present to your board the 

 report of the condition and operations of the Smithsonian Institution 

 for the year 1876, it being the thirtieth report which I have been per- 

 mitted to submit to your honorable body. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The long term of service of the principal executive officer of the In- 

 stitution, and the few changes in the presiding officer of the Board of 

 of Regents, have been attended with the important result of an unin- 

 terrupted continuity in the policy of the management of the establish- 

 ment. A definite conception of the will of Smithson, and of the means 

 best adapted to "realize its intention, was clearly apprehended at the be- 

 ginning, and a plan proposed and partially adopted which would carry 

 out, in the most effectual manner, the ideas expressed in the terms of 

 the bequest. Unfortunately Congress did not delegate to the Board of 

 Eegents the power of entirely organizing the Institution, but specified 

 certain objects which should be included in the plan adopted. It will, 

 however, be seen by an examination of the whole series of annual re- 

 ports, that while due regard has been had to the requirements of Con- 

 gress, the prominent object kept constantly in view has been, the full 

 introduction of the plan of increasing and diffusing knowledge by 

 means of researches, publications, and exchanges. This plan, which is 

 known as that of active operations, and which has received the approba- 

 tion of the scientific world, was not generally understood at the time of 

 the organization of the establishment. The value of scientific research 

 was not as highly appreciated then as at the present day, and therefore 

 it is not surprising that Congress should devote the income of the fund 

 principally to the formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of art. 



These objects, though important in themselves, are all of a local char- 

 acter, being principally confined in thdr influence to the city of Wash- 

 ington, and therefore could not realize the liberal intention of Smithson, 

 which includes in its comprehensive scope the intellectual advancement 

 of mankind. ' 



Although a majority of the Board of Regents were in favor of the 

 plan of active operations, they did not think it prudent to ask Congress 

 at that time to reconsider the plan which it had adopted, but concluded 

 to proceed without delay in executing the measures prescribed, while at 

 the same time they availed themselves of the privilege granted in one 



