70 
PROCEEDINGS OF 
[ March j 
Science; but as it is intended for the benefit of the people, it is right that they 
should take part in its administration. They are more likely to profit by informa¬ 
tion emanating from such a source; and I apprehend no danger from any impro¬ 
per interference on their part, with matters purely scientific. They are too intelli¬ 
gent not to be aware that such subjects must be entrusted to the officers and scien¬ 
tific branches of the Institution, and will I am sure cheerfully submit to their man¬ 
agement of them. 
It will be our duty to make ourselves acquainted with all useful and important 
discoveries in science, and present them in a cheap form to the people, especially all 
such discoveries as may be applicable to the arts, and useful to our manufacturers 
and mechanics; and they themselves ought to be encouraged to communicate to 
the Institution the results of their own observations and experience. 
Although I hope and believe that Government will become convinced that the 
best disposition it can make of the Smithson fund, and that most suited to carry 
into effect the benevolent intentions of the testator, will be to confide its application 
to this Institution, I would not have you depend altogether upon that expectation. 
Let us rather place our reliance upon the cooperation of the other scientific Insti¬ 
tutions in the United States, which have so manifest an interest in promoting our 
views; upon the support of the people, for whose benefit the Institution has been 
founded; and, above all, upon our own energies and resources, which, if zealously 
exerted and judiciously directed, will, I have no doubt, ensure our success. 
Dr. Henry King was elected Curator of the Institution. 
The following donations were received : 
For the Cabinet , 
Indian Pipe.— From the Hon. Joel R , Poinsett . 
Robe made of the skin of the Grizzly Bear, with a collar of the 
claws of the Bear.— From the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett. 
Map of the Coast, south of Cape Hattera-s.— From the Hon. Joel 
R. Poinsett. 
Copper Ores, from Current River, Missouri.— From Hon. J . Miller , 
M. C.j from Missouri. 
Box of ancient Coins.— From Dr. T. B. J. Frye . 
A Ball made by the Greek females at Athens, of the marble of the 
Parthenon, and thrown from the Acropolis when it was besieged 
by the Turks.— From His Excellency Martin Van Buren , Presi¬ 
dent United States. 
For the Library. 
Second Triennial Report ol the American Mission Seminary 3 Jaffna, 
Ceylon, 1830.— From Dr. F. Hall 
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