FROM WASHINGTON. 
[Correspondence of the New York Express. ] 
The Smithsonian Institute. 
WasuinerTon, Feb. 8. 
We understand that there is a settled determination 
on the part of the Secretary of the Smithsonian In- 
stitution in conducting the affairs of that institution to 
carry out his own views, without regard to what may 
be the policy the regents or others connected with the 
Institution desire to see pursued. 
The Board of Regents years ago, passed a resolu- 
tion that the funds of the institution should be divided 
between the library and the prosecution of scientific 
researches in different departments of science, purchase 
of the philosophical apparatus, &c. And up to the 
present time the funds of the institution have been ex- 
pended according to the policy then adopted by the 
Board of Regents. 
Now I am told, the Secretary, Prof. Henry, is pur- 
suing a course, the design of which is to narrow the 
usefulness of the institution, and confine its operations 
simply to the increase of knowledge. publishing the 
results of scientific labors in books to be distributed 
only in libraries and among institutions of learning. 
The library of the institution he regards as a useless 
appendage, and the building of no earthly use, and all 
the officers about the building except himself and those 
immediately under him as useless fungi ; their labors 
of no advantage tothe world The building he would 
like to see sold to the Government for Government 
purposes. Lectures are not in the design of the insti- 
tution; and lecturers are only employed in order to 
please the people about Washington, and prevent too 
much outery against the institution. The question 
may be asked, whether if the lectures are worth being 
paid for to please the people of Washington, they are 
not equally worth being published for the instruction 
of the people at large. I understand that Prof. Henry 
does not regard the lectures delivered at the institution 
worth reporting ; and the proprietors of the papers 
here seem to take the same view of it that he does, 
for since the organization of the institution I have no 
recollection of seeing a single lecture reported in full 
for any of the papers here. ; 
It is the impression of the people that the Smith- 
sonian institution was designed to diffuse as well as to 
increase knowledge ; and in their opinion the lectures 
delivered before the public of Washington ought to be 
published to be sant by the many; and that if they 
are not worth publishing. the money of the institution 
ought not to be employed in paying for them. 
The contest between Prof. Henry, and his policy, 
of only increasing knowledge, and the other party who 
go also for diffusing it, has waxed so warm and each 
party has taken such a decided stand that it must end 
either in the withdrawal of Prof. Henry from the in- 
stitution altogether or the changing of the character 
of the institution, the abolishment of the library and 
librarian and other offices of the institution who now 
have a voice in regard to the mode in which the funds 
should be appropriated. In our opinion the true in- 
terests of the institution require the immediate resig- 
nation or removal of Prof. menry. 
(Because our regular correspondent writes this, we 
publish it,—but for the profound learning, pure char- 
acter, and high qualifications of Professor Henry, we 
have unshaken convictions. His letter shows a state 
of opinion in Washington that it may be interesting 
to know.)—Eps. 
