since the maintenance of the Botanic Garden was not part 

 of his official responsibilities. 26 



OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE 



Beginnings of a National Herbarium 



Although the formation of a herbarium was not one of the 

 original objectives of the Columbian Institute, herbarium 

 specimens were received and stored at the Garden. 27 Existing 

 records show that two major contributions of herbarium 

 specimens were made. In 1820, Dr. William Darlington con- 

 tributed specimens of American plants. Six years later, Dr. 

 Alexander McWilliams donated specimens of plants native 

 to the District of Columbia. Dr. McWilliams' contributions 

 were, according to the records, arranged by the Linnean 

 classification system. In neither instance were the number 

 of plants or the species recorded. 28 



Presentation of Scholarly Papers 



During the Institute's existence, twenty-six different members 

 formally presented papers. William Lambert, the principal 

 contributor, authored more than half of the total of eighty- 

 five papers delivered. Lambert's forty-four presentations 

 focused primarily on astronomical and mathematical sub- 

 jects. His findings "evoked considerable response, for he dis- 

 cussed the importance to the country of determining 

 Washington's prime meridian in order to free American chart 

 makers and navigators from their dependence upon Green- 

 wich, England." 29 It was mainly through his efforts that the 



26 In December 1821, the Institute authorized Foy to place "certain seeds 

 and plants" in the Garden "during the pleasure of the Institute." Minutes 

 of the Columbian Institute, December 1, 1821, p. 98. Four years later, Foy 

 told the Institute "that the trees in the botanic garden are suffering for 

 want of attention; and that if the Institute would employ a laborer," [he] 

 "would supervise his work, without any charge." Shortly thereafter, a 

 laborer was "employed for one month to work in the Botanic garden un- 

 der the direction of Mr. Foy" Ibid., May 7, 1825, pp. 170-171. 



27 The fact that a national herbarium was not among the stated objec- 

 tives of the Institute is said to account, at least in part, for the establish- 

 ment of the Botanical Society of Washington in 1817. 



28 Rathbun, The Columbian Institute, pp. 55-57. 



29 Green, Washington: Village and Capitol, 1800-1878, p. 69. 



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