1842 .] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 241 
December 24, 1841 : Acknowledging constitution, &c., and accept¬ 
ing correspondence of National Institute. 
From P. S. Duponceau, Philadelphia, June 13, 1842. 
Mr. Markoe offered the following resolutions, which were adopt¬ 
ed : 
Resolved , That the thanks of the National Institute be presented 
to the Hon. W. C. Preston, for the eloquent address made by him 
at the stated meeting of the 13th instant; and that he be requested 
to furnish to the Institute a copy of his remarks, for the purpose of 
publication. 
Resolved , That the Secretary of War be asked to address a circu¬ 
lar to the officers of the Army, in behalf of the National Institute, 
and to request their aid and co-operation in carrying out its objects ; 
and that the officers of the military posts and stations be specially 
requested to establish cabinets, to receive and preserve all contribu¬ 
tions that may be received for the Institute. 
Resolved , That the Secretary of the Navy be asked to address a 
circular to the officers of the Navy, in behalf of the National Insti¬ 
tute, and to request their aid and co-operation in carrying out its ob¬ 
jects ; and that commanders of all ships of war about to proceed to 
foreign stations, be permitted and desired to establish cabinets on 
board their vessels, for the purpose of receiving and preserving con¬ 
tributions for the Institute. 
Mr. Couthouy addressed the meeting on the subject of coral for¬ 
mations and oceanic temperatures, and offered the following reso¬ 
lution, which was adopted: 
Resolved , That a Committee be appointed to confer with the 
honorable the Secretary of the Navy, and solicit him to take mea¬ 
sures for having a connected series of observations made by our 
national vessels, especially those on the African and East Indian 
stations, upon oceanic temperatures at the surface, and to a certain 
depth; and, also, to communicate such observations to this Institute 
as early after the return of the vessels from each cruise as conve¬ 
nient. 
Mr. Preston moved that Lieut. Wilkes be requested to give the 
meeting some account of the late cruise of the Exploring Expedi¬ 
tion. 
Mr. Wilkes accordingly arose and addressed the meeting at length, 
exhibiting various maps and drawings, in illustration of the narra¬ 
tive, &c. 
On motion of Mr. Preston, it was 
Resolved , That the thanks of the Institute be presented to Lieut. 
Wilkes, for the lucid exposition of the objects and events of the Ex¬ 
ploring Expedition, with which he had favored the meeting. 
Resolved , That Lieut. Wilkes be requested to continue the expo¬ 
sition begun this evening. 
