503] Museum-History and Museums of History. 259 
tions by city, State, or Federal government would not have 
been considered a legitimate act. When the general gov- 
ernment came into the possession of extensive collections 
as the result of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition in 1842, 
they were placed in charge of a private organization, the 
National Institution, and later, together with other similar 
materials, in that of a corporation, the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, which was for a long period of years obliged to pay 
largely for their care out of its income from a private en- 
dowment. It was not until 1876, however, that the existence 
of a National Museum., as such, was definitely recognized in 
the proceedings of Congress, and its financial support fully 
provided for. 
In early days, however, our principal cities had each a 
public museum, founded and supported by private enter- 
prise. The earliest general collection was that formed at 
Norwalk, Connecticut, prior to the Revolution, by a man 
named Arnold, described as “a curious collection of Ameri- 
can birds and insects.” This it was which first awakened 
the interest of President Adams in the natural sciences. 
He visited it several times as he travelled from Boston to 
very earnestly asked if none were provided for him — whether Salisbury had 
none for him — and said he was sure Salisbury would get him one. The writer 
apologises for troubling Lord Salisbury, “ but ” continued he, “you know so 
well how he (the king) is affected to such toys. ” 
Charles I. appears to havs been equally curious in such matters. In 1637 he 
sent John Tradescant, the younger, to Virginia “to gather all rarities of 
flowers, plants, and shells.” 
•In 1625 we find Tradescant writing to one Nicholas that it is the Duke of 
Buckingham’s pleasure that he should deal with all merchants from all places, 
but especially from Virginia, Bermuda, Newfoundland, Guinea, the Amazons, 
and the East Indies for all manner of rare beasts, fowls and birds, shells and 
shining stones, etc. 
In the Domestic Correspondence of Charles I. in another place, July, 1625, 
is a “ Note of things desired from Guinea, for which letters are to be written 
to the merchants of the Guinea Company.” Among other items referred to are 
“ an elephant’s head, with the teeth very large ; a river-horse’s head ; strange 
sorts of fowls ; birds’ and fishes’ skins ; great flying and sucking fishes ; all 
sorts of serpents ; dried fruits, shining stones, etc.” Still further on is a note 
of one Jeremy Blackman’s charge — in all, £ 2 . 0 — for transporting four deer 
from Virginia, including corn and a place made of wood for them to lie in. 
