SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



21 



Accompanying the Bibliotheca Americana Nova, from O. Rich, 

 Esq., of London, is a note addressed to the Regents, in which he 

 offers his services in supplying any hooks they may require from 

 England or any part of Europe. 



Mr. Rich also addressed a note to me making substantially the 

 same offer, to which I replied, presenting my thanks as Assistant 

 Secretary for the books sent, and promising to bring the subject to 

 the attention of the Regents at this meeting. 



Many letters have been addressed to me in relation to the In- 

 stitution, making many inquiries, but not as I deemed of a nature 

 to make them official. 



Every letter received has been answered, giving all the informa- 

 tion in my possession as to the subjects inquired about. 



With the best wishes for the perfect success of the Institution, 

 I am, with high respect, your obedient servant, 



B. B. FRENCH, Assistant Secretary. 

 Hon. George M. Dallas, 



Chancellor of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 



The Chancellor also presented a letter from Alexander Jones 

 to the Assistant Secretary, asking to be appointed Agent of the In- 

 stitution in New York, for receiving and forwarding books ; 



Which was read and placed on file. 



Mr. Owen presented letters recommending sundry persons for 

 the Secretaryship of the Institution ; 



Which were placed on file for future consideration. 



Mr. Choate, from the Committee appointed at the meeting of 

 the Regents in September, in relation to the formation of a Library, 

 made a report, accompanied by resolutions, which were read. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, the resolutions accompanying the re- 

 port made by him from the Committee on Organization, were taken 

 up for consideration. 



Mr. Owen moved that the Board proceed to consider the reso- 

 lution relative to the qualifications of Secretary and numbered 13 ; 



Which motion was agreed to. 



The said resolution was then read as follows : 



[No. 13.] Resolved, That it is essential for the advancement of 



