32 
in every leading department of natural history ; then, free lectures on 
useful branches of knowledge to all who may please to throng their spa- 
cious halls ; then, a wide publication of all new inventions and new theo- 
ries ; next, all valuable instruments in philosophy, and laboratories for ex- 
periments ; and lastly, over the whole, the control, vigilance, and co-ope- 
ration of the ablest men the neighborhood will furnish, to carry into effect 
the instructions of Congress, watchfully given from time to time, under 
the temper and influences of our free institutions, and with a noble de- 
votion to the improvement of every art and science, and every rank and 
condition in life. Of all this, except the Congressional library, and some 
fruits of the Exploring Expedition, we have got only the National In- 
stitute, whose members I now have the honor to address. It is not simply 
the acorn of all we hope for ; but, at the same time, it is farther still 
from being “ the brave old oak” of a thousand years’ growth, and beauty, 
and strength, to which we look forward. Planted in a city, not of the 
largest class, unaided by great endowments, and existing at all but a few 
years, it has still, under some countenance of the Government, and by 
the disinterested zeal and efforts of a few individuals, become somewhat 
known and respected abroad as well as at home. It makes no preten- 
sions, compared with what has been growing elsewhere for centuries, 
and what elsewhere has had, for encouragement, the munificence of 
royalty, and the daily smiles and exertions of throngs of savans and 
scholars. But the eyes of many in the Union, and in foreign lands, 
have been turned anxiously on its progress, to see how its labor may 
succeed in applying science more to aid practical life ; and by observing 
and describing, collecting and preserving, with increased attention, all 
that is curious or rare in this new world — to throw more light on the life 
and character of its Aboriginal inhabitants, or its animals of all kinds ; 
its plants, shells, and minerals, as well as its lakes and rivers ; its prairies 
and mountains; its tides, winds, and seasons; or something more of the 
mysterious history of its settlement and civilization— as in Mexico, Yu- 
catan, and Peru, previous to the last four hundred years. Among sev- 
eral other objects, one of the departments of the Institute is specially 
devoted to “American history and antiquities;” another to “ the application 
©f science to the useful arts,” and another to “ agriculture.” 
Much, certainly, has already been accomplished by aiding to fur- 
nish many new materials, books, and valuable collections, to assist in 
scientific researches ; and the admission of all persons freely to the 
inspection of what it posessses, has made not merely a few generous in 
