SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 15 



Mr. Breese presented sundry letters and recommendations rela- 

 tive to applications for office, agencies for the purchase of books, 

 &c. ; 



Which were placed on file for future consideration. 

 Mr. Rush, from the Committee appointed to ascertain whether 

 Madame de la Batut still survives, and, if not, what steps are ne- 

 cessary to obtain the remainder of the Smithsonian fund, reverting 

 to the United States at her death ; and, if she is still living, what 

 steps are necessary to obtain the fund at her death — made a re- 

 port thereon, in part, stating that he had written to Messrs. Clarke, 

 Fynmore & Fludgate, Solicitors, residing in London, making the 

 proper inquiries, but had yet received no answer. 



A copy of his letter to them was submitted, read, and put on file. 

 Mr. Owen, from the Committee on the Organization of the In- 

 stitution, made a report, accompanied by a series of resolutions, 

 which were read. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, the consideration of the resolutions 

 was postponed until to-morrow. 



The Board proceeded to the consideration of the resolution 

 pending yesterday, when the Board adjourned. 



Mr. Seaton proposed that the same be amended, by inserting, 

 after the word " Potomac," the following : 



" Intending to authorize the erection of a monument to George 

 Washington, by the Washington Monument Association, on a part 

 of the said site which lies between Fourteenth street and the river" 

 Mr. Evans moved that the said amendment be amended by sub- 

 stituting therefor the following : 



" Subject to the power of Congress to grant any portion of the 

 same west of Fourteenth street to the Washington Monument Soci- 

 ety, for the purpose of erecting a monument thereon.''' 1 



And the question being put on agreeing to the amendment of 

 Mr. Evans, it was decided in the affirmative. 



The amendment, as amended, was then agreed to, and the reso- 

 lution, as amended, was agreed to. 

 And so it was 



Resolved, That the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution do 



