452 
PROCEEDINGS OF 
It is a gratifying; reflection, that the General Government has seldom been back¬ 
ward in making researches and collections. At times, it has been lavish in such 
as were suited to advance the great interests of commerce, or the value and sale of 
its public lands, or a vise legislation over the numerous Indian tribes under its 
paternal guardianship. It ha9 in this way made its navy assist to explore, not 
only our own shores and seas, but the most distant regions—its army note tem¬ 
peratures and winds, as well as examine rivers, and mountains, and prairies, from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific—its geologists scrutinize soils and quarries—its astrono¬ 
mers survey our coasts—and its engineers measure cataracts and lakes, harbors, 
canals, and railroads, till the public offices overflow with specimens of their useful 
labors. But how little will be the use of much of them under the yearly ravages 
of time, unless, by public associations like the Institute, science is kept up here at 
a standard high enough to appreciate the importance of such labors, and to enlist 
with zeal in their preservation and diffusion. As a single instance out of many, 
what will be the utility of most collected by the late exploring expedition, plough¬ 
ing, as it did, “so rich a furrow round the globe,” if all the gathered treasures 
are not carefully preserved and exhibited, in a useful manner, to the inspection of 
the learned, and the liberal curiosity of the people at large. Even commerce 
itself, which is made so prominent an object in the constitution, no less than in 
our legislation, and which is so justly considered the pioneer of civilization and 
wealth in all ages, would seem to lose half its charms, if it were cherished without 
any regard to intellectual improvement, and were looked after with a view merely to 
procure new luxuries, cr new means of corrupt indulgence, rather than, as the 
great instrument to interchange letters, and arts, and curiosities; and, beside new 
inventions, new machinery, new fruits, plants, and animals, to send home every 
thing calculated to increase that knowledge, which is a power so much nobler 
than mere wealth or political dominion. Few can doubt, that while the Govern¬ 
ment continues to lend efficient aid to such objects, through its protection of com¬ 
merce, and encourages the improvement of mankind by copy-rights for new books, 
and patents for all useful discoveries; and while, in the promotion of similar 
objects, it establishes naval and military schools, and forms congressional and law 
libraries—few can doubt its power, any more than its glory, to discharge well such 
important trusts through any agents which are most appropriate. While the col¬ 
lections in natural history, and the curiosities were few, not much skill, time or 
expense was required to take care of them. But the Government has always been 
obliged to furnish some of each of these for that object. Now, that the articles to 
be arranged and preserved have been multiplied greatly, more science, as well as 
expense, are required; and, to use the Institute for such a purpose, at the seat of 
Government, within the District of Columbia, is only to continue to defray the ex¬ 
pense of taking care of these articles ; and that by persons possessing a taste, intel¬ 
ligence, and zeal, in respect to such matters, which give a strong assurance of 
fidelity and success. 
But I am extending this communication too far. Allow me to add, however, 
before closing, another circumstance, which, with some, may have peculiar weight. 
The members of the Institute have never desired to render the collections in their 
charge matters of private property or private emolument; and so far as I am ac¬ 
quainted with their views, not one would object that their collections and speci¬ 
mens, if not now public property, should be made so expressly by law, and be thus 
dedicated exclusively to public purposes of science and letters. 
