MORRIS KETCHUM JESUP 
the purchase of land or the payment of salaries, or for labor 
or for services of any kind, ordinarily considered under the 
item of maintenance. 
I wish to explain that I have bequeathed this sum of one 
million dollars ($1,000,000) to The American Museum of 
Natural History, and that I have made for it the other be- 
quests and provisions contained in my Will because of the 
fact that I have been identified with the Museum from its 
Act of Incorporation to the present time. I have been its 
President since 1881. Since that time I have devoted a great 
part of my life, my time, my thoughts and my attention to its 
interests. I believe it to be to-day one of the most effective 
agencies which exist in The City of New York for furnishing 
education, innocent amusement and instruction to the people. 
It can be immensely increased in its usefulness by increasing 
its powers. The City of New York, under its contract with 
the Museum, is to provide buildings and to maintain them, 
but the buildings must be filled with specimens. This means 
that for the purpose, the necessary amount must come from 
individual donors. It is in order that the means for this pur- 
pose may be helped, as the Museum must grow in additional 
buildings by the City, and in view of its great possibilities for 
the future, that I make for the Museum the bequests and pro- 
visions contained in my Will, relying upon the Trustees of 
the Museum to do their share, by looking after the invest- 
ment of the funds, the use of its income and by carefully 
watching over, and wisely planning for the best interests of 
this greatjinstitution. 
[35] 
