136 
PROCEEDINGS OF 
[Jan. 
From N. S. Jarvis, Surgeon U. S. Army, Fort Jesup: Express¬ 
ing a purpose of forwarding to the Institution other objects of natural 
history, in addition to those already presented by him through Col. 
Abert. 
From James M. Allen, M. D., Albany: Offering geological spe¬ 
cimens, and expressing a wish to contribute to the objects of the Na¬ 
tional Institution. 
From John H. B. Latrobe, Baltimore: 
Baltimore, December 18, 1841. 
Dear Sir : When it was determined to fix the seat of Government of the United 
States at Washington, a premium was offered for a design for the public buildings, 
and there came in consequence, from all quarters, productions of the then archi¬ 
tectural ability of the United States. These fell into my father’s possession while 
he was engaged in building the Capitol, in the early part of the present century. 
Whether he found them already collected, or whether he gathered them together 
from time to time, I do not know; but they now fill a large portfolio, which has 
come into my hands, along with the rest of my father’s papers, since his death. 
As specimens of the fine arts, the designs, whether on the score of plan or drawing, 
are generally below mediocrity, and some are infinitely and amusingly preposterous; 
but as facts in the history of the arts in America, they have a value which makes 
a public depository for them better than the library of a private individual; nor do 
I know where I can, with more propriety, offer them, than to the National Institu¬ 
tion. The purpose of addressing you, therefore, is to ask you to tender to that In¬ 
stitution the portfolio of drawings in question; and if it shall be deemed worthy of 
acceptance, I will have it sent to Washington. In making this offer, I do it as well 
on behalf of my brother, Benjamin H. Latrobe, as myself. 
I have spoken above of a premium having been offered for a design. I would 
add that on this point I may be mistaken. The drawings, however, speak for them¬ 
selves. I am, respectfully and truly, 
JNO. H. B. LATROBE. 
From the Hon. L. F. Linn, United States Senator from Missouri, 
enclosing the following correspondence : 
Marly le Roy, September 28, 1841. 
Sir: I hasten to send you the enclosed copy of a letter which I have just re¬ 
ceived from Mons. Dufresnoy, “ Chief Engineer and Director of the Royal School 
of Mines,” and one of the most eminent mineralogists of our age—an impartial man 
whom nothing can bias. The opinion of such a man will, I think, be of immense 
advantage to the State of Missouri, and will remove many of the difficulties which 
may be encountered in the explorations of its precious mines. I am laboring with 
the same activity and ardor, as you well know, to establish between my country 
and yours, relations which shall more and more strengthen, and finally consolidate 
the bond of union between the two nations—relations based upon the sciences, the 
arts, and religion. If you ever have occasion to speak to your brother Senators of 
