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$Cdii(l£, 
NATIONAL INSTITUTION 
FOR 
THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE, 
WASHINGTON* 
The National Institution was organised at the seat of Gov¬ 
ernment on the 15th May, 1840, by the adoption of a Consti¬ 
tution, and a declaration of the objects of the Institution : which 
are to promote Science and the Useful Arts, and to establish a 
National Museum of Natural History, &c. &c. The following 
Officers were appointed, to continue until the annual meeting 
in January, 1841 : 
DIRECTORS. 
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, Secretary of War. 
Hon, James K. Pauldinu, Secretary of the Navy. 
COUNCILLORS. 
Hon, John Q. Adams, House of Representatives. 
Col. J. J. Abert, Chief Topographical Engineers, 
Col. Joseph G. Totten, Chief Engineer. 
Dr. Alexander McWilliams. 
A. 0.. Dayton, Fourth Auditor, 
TREASURER. 
William I. Stone 
SECRETARIES. 
Francis Markoe, Jr., Corresponding Secretary. 
Pishey Thompson, Recording Secretary. 
The first stated meeting of the Institution was held at the 
rooms of the Institution on the second Monday in June. 
