THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 
385 
1845.] 
bodies to the Institute are substantially in the same predicament. So long as this 
corporate association exists, it has the charge, custody, and control of it, as trustee 
for the Government; but upon tho dissolution of the Institute, the entire mass 
becomes equally, as the other branch of the collection, the absolute and exclusive 
property of the nation. In the mean time, the members wish for no private interest 
in the collection, and if the present charter be not susceptible of the construction, 
that the whole beneficial interest of all the articles is now, as well as at its close, 
in the Government, they are anxious to have an amendment made to accompany 
the appropriation asked for, which shall, at once, regulate the property in that 
way. For the Institute has depended on the Government heretofore, and must 
continue to rely on it, not only for many of the most valuable articles in its pos¬ 
session, but for a place to deposit them, and a place for their meetings, as well as 
for some of the means to defray the incidental expenses of opening, putting up, 
and preserving their collections. In short, all the property belongs to the Govern, 
merit. The guardians of it, under the charter, are chiefly the officers of the Govern- 
mont. The custody of such property was heretofore at tho public expense. And 
that such sums should still be expended by Congress as would pay for the freight 
and other expenditures connected with it, would be the exercise of no other power 
than such as has been exercised by the Government every year since its organiza¬ 
tion. 
The individuals who compose the Institute, have, by their pecuniary contribu¬ 
tions and specific donations, largely aided in augmenting the value of this properly, 
in arranging it so as to render it available, and in defraying the expenses neces¬ 
sarily attending the execution of the important and responsible trusts confided to 
them. They have thus created, enlarged, and rendered practically useful, the pro- 
perty of the Government, and of the nation. Their means of usefulness, their 
capacity to extend the benefits of the museum, are limited only by their capacity to 
meet their daily expenses. 
Not only are the Government and the nation the absolute owners of much of the 
property of the Institute, and the beneficiary owners of the residue, but they are 
also the exclusive recipients of the advantage to result from the entire enterprize. 
At this period of the world, and in this enlightened age, it is not necessary to pre. 
sent an argument to establish a truth which all history inculcates, that the highest 
glory of a nation, the purest and most durable happiness of a commonwealth, rest 
most upon a moral and intellectual advancement. 
If, in the legitimate execution of those powers which by the constitution aro 
vested in your honorable bodies, collateral results should follow, by which science 
and literature shall be fostered and encouraged among your constituents, and dif¬ 
fused more widely through our Union, such consequences will not, wo presume, 
furnish grounds of objection to the rightful exercise of power, in the breast of any 
individual. It is believed that few are disposed to controvert the lawfulness, while 
a still smaller number will deny the expediency, of the appropriations heretofore 
made by Congress to the literary and benevolent associations of this district and 
city. None can doubt the lawfulness of those provisions which have been, from 
time to time, made for the protection of the property of the nation, and its adequate 
security and care, by the erection of suitable buildings for its accommodation, and 
furnishing proper compensation to the officers or agents of the Government charged 
with its preservation and improvement. 
All the Institute asks of Congress, then, is an appropriation of a sum sufficient to 
discharge the arrears of expense heretofore incurred, and due by the Institute. An 
annual appropriation for the necessary purposes of the Association, and the con¬ 
tinuance of the indulgence hitherto granted, of the use of convenient rooms for 
preserving the property, and holding the ordinary meetings. 
Annexed to this memorial are various documents, of which the following is a 
list: 
List of Documents accompanying the above Memorial. 
1. Charter of Incorporation. 
2. Constitution and By-Laws. 
3. Abstract of Proceedings, comprising the contributions, donations, and deposits 
made to the cabinet and library of the Institute since its foundation, with the 
names of the contributors, donors, and depositers. 
4. List of Officers, and Honorary, Resident, Paying Corresponding, and Corres- 
