1841 .] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION. 129 
general purposes of the Institution, you can judge much better than myself. If the 
arrangement be in harmony with its fundamental plan, and the means of accom¬ 
plishing it can justly be attained, there can be little doubt ot the lasting benefits 
that might ensue. An appointment of a committee, specially charged with the 
subject, or a reference of it to the officers of the Institution, would lead to indis¬ 
pensable preliminaries. Should these be happily attended by no insuperable obsta¬ 
cles, further movements would be the work of further time. 
I am, with great regard and respect, your obedient servant, 
JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL. 
From H. C. Williams, late a resident member: Stating his wish 
that his name should be taken from the list of resident, and enrolled 
among the paying corresponding members, he being about to re¬ 
move to Sevier County, Arkansas; where he hopes to be able to 
collect valuable specimens of natural history for the National In¬ 
stitution. 
From J. L. Smith, Washington: Submitting a plan of a Govern¬ 
ment Department of Agriculture and Education. 
From H. Kallusowski, Richmond, Virginia: Suggesting to the In¬ 
stitution to commence a general plan for exchanging Historical works 
and documents relating to North and South America, since their 
discovery and colonization, for similar European works and docu¬ 
ments since the invention of printing. 
From Dr. E. Foreman, Baltimore: Proposing a plan of exchan¬ 
ges between the Institution and the Conchologists of the United 
States. 
From Hon. J. R. Poinsett, President of the National Institution: 
Mentioning that Dr. Robert W. Gibbs, of Columbia, South-Caro- 
lina, had presented to the Institution a very valuable old Painting, 
by Spagnoletto. 
From D’Arcy A. French, Washington: Submitting a communi¬ 
cation on Grammar. 
From A. H. Palmer, New-York: Proposing exchange of Trans¬ 
actions between the National Institution and the Real Sociedad 
Economico de Filipinos, of Manilla. 
From Dr. S. Webber, of Charlestown, N. H., communicating a 
paper, on the great geological features of the valley of Connecticut 
river, at Charlestown; and remarks on some crystals found in the 
slate rock scattered in that region, with specimens. 
