60 
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
posit with the Smithsonian Institution, proposing to sell them 
to the Institution for the sum of twelve thousand dollars. 
“The committee appointed to consider and report upon the 
subject respectfully represent that, while they are fully sensi- 
ble of the great historical and ethnological value of this collec- 
tion of portraits, and of their characteristic excellence, they are 
yet of opinion that it would be inexpedient to withdraw the 
sum mentioned from the funds necessary to carry on the scheme 
of active operations, which has been so ably inaugurated and, 
thus far, so successfully executed. The income of the Smith- 
sonian fund should not be scattered among different and dis- 
connected objects, and the sum necessary for the purchase of 
the gallery can not be spared, without crippling for a time at 
least the regular operations of the Institution. 
“It appears to your committee that to purchase this collec- 
tion, and to place it in some secure situation easy of access to 
visitors at the capital, would be an act worthy of the enlightened 
liberality of Congress. The cost would be insignificant, and 
the value of the collection would increase in all future time. 
No place is so suitable for its permanent deposit as the city of 
Washington, and no guardianship so appropriate as that of the 
Government of the United States. 
“Your committee recommend to the Board that the subject 
of the purchase of Mr. Stanley’s Indian gallery be brought re- 
spectfully to the attention of Congress, as a measure eminently 
deserving a favorable consideration in its bearings upon the 
history of the aboriginal tribes of America, and as a monument 
of deep and lasting interest to the people of the United States.” 
i854 
Professor John Wilson, of the British Commission, appointed 
to attend the Exhibition at the New York Crystal Palace, pre- 
sented to the Institution, in behalf of the London Society of 
Arts, a collection of models, drawings and instruments, to facili- 
tate instruction in the art of design. In order to render these 
immediately useful, they were lent to the School of Design, 
which had been established in Washington by the Metropolitan 
Mechanics’ Institute, under the charge of Professor Whitaker. 
