4 



required, and steadily practising a strict scheme of personal 

 economy, he amassed considerable fortune. He died at Genoa 

 in 1829, and, by his will, bequeathed his accumulated property to 

 this Union ; a country that, notwithstanding his frequent change 

 of abode, he had never visited, whose citizens he had never asso- 

 ciated with, but in whose inevitable future he saw the most solid 

 ground on which to cast the anchor of his. fame. This legacy, 

 for some time the subject of litigation in the British Court of 

 Chancery, was finally secured, brought over, and received into 

 the treasury of the United States on the 1st of September, 1838. 

 Its exact amount, when deposited, was five hundred and fifteen 

 thousand one hundred and sixty-nine dollars. 



The legacy was accompanied by a declaration of its design, 

 and the execution of that design has been assumed, as well by an 

 acceptance of the money as by several open and formal avowals 

 by our Government. It was u to found an Institution at Wash- 

 ington for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men;" 

 to found, not an academy, not a college, not a university, but 

 something less technical and precise, something whose import 

 and circuit should be bolder and more comprehensive: an insti- 

 tution not merely for disseminating, spreading, teaching know- 

 ledge, but also, and foremost, for creating, originating, increasing 

 it. Where at? In the city whose name recalls the wisest, 

 purest, and noblest spirit of the freest, newest, and broadest land. 

 And among whom? Not a chosen or designated class — not the 

 followers of a particular sage or sect — not the favorites of fortune, 

 nor the lifted of rank — but among men — men of every condition r 

 of every school, of every faith, of every nativity ! Men! It was 

 with a purpose thus elevated and expansive, thus as well distinct 

 as undiscriminating, that James Smithson committed his wealth 

 to the guardianship of the American Republic. Whatever may 

 be the difference of opinion as to the comparative merits of the 

 many modes of practically realizing this purpose, it is quite cer- 

 tain, that the good faith and best exertions of our country are 

 solemnly pledged to its fulfilment. We must try it — try it sin- 

 cerely, indefatigably, trustworthily — try it through all the diversi- 

 fied and promising channels — try it with no narrow exclusiveness 

 of choice or prejudice as to systems, sciences, or arts. The 

 intention of the benefactor was to make his endowment a peren- 

 nial fountain of wisdom, as well practical as theoretic or imagi- 

 native, whose living waters should be unceasingly distributed 

 to advance the intelligence, comfort, and happiness of human 

 beings. 



When, at no distant day, I trust, it shall be seen, that within 



