SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



17 



Mr. Owen presented a letter from Nahum Capen, of Boston, 

 suggesting the formation of a statistical department of the Institu- 

 tion ; 



Which was placed on file, for future consideration. 



Mr. Bache presented a paper, signed by members of the Ameri- 

 can Philosophical Society, recommending Titian R. Peale as a 

 person eminently qualified to take charge of the collections of the 

 Institution ; 



Which was placed on file, for future consideration. 



A motion was made by Mr. Breese to reconsider the vote by 

 wdiich the Board yesterday adopted the resolution selecting and 

 adopting a site for their buildings. 



After debate, 



The motion of Mr. Breese was postponed until to-morrow. 

 The resolutions reported yesterday by Mr. Owen, from the Com- 

 mittee on Organization, came up in order for consideration. 



At the suggestion of Mr. Choate, that he wished to examine 

 the report accompanying them, 



On motion of Mr. Owen, 

 They were further postponed until to-morrow. 

 Mr. Breese offered the following resolution : 

 Resolved, That, at one o'clock P. M. to-morrow, the Board 

 will proceed to the election of a Secretary of the Institution. 

 Which was read, and, 



On motion of Mr. Breese, 

 Laid upon the table. 



On motion of Mr. Hough, 

 The Board adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o'clock meridian. 



THURSDAY, December 3, 1848. 



The Chancellor laid before the Board the following commu- 

 nication from the Assistant Secretary : 



Office House of Representatives, U. S. 



December 3, 1846. 

 Sir : Having been appointed Assistant Secretary of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution in September last by the Secretary (Hon. Mr. 



