The native American., 1840-09-19
From The .qrmy and Mayy Chronicle.

lhe NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THE PROMO
TIoN OF SCIENCE" cf which some account was Civ
EN- in former number, has been organized in Wash
ington and its officers elected. We augur much
bdneft TO the cause Of science from the establishment
at the seat of Government of an associations the OBJ
jects Of whose research and collection embrace SO
wide range. The departments Of the Institution
consist, for the present, of
l. Chemistry; @a@
q Geology and Mineralogy;
g. Geography, Astronomy, and Natural Philosophy;
T. Natural History;
g. The Application Of Science to the Useful Arts
6. American History and Antiquities;
Z. Agriculture;
g. Literature and the Fine Arts.
Apart from the qualification of witnessing the efforts
Of men in high station, whose official duties are in
general sufficiently absorbing and perpcxing to en-
gross their whole time, thus united in cause in
which all may join it is refreshing to turn aside
be but Tor moment from the eternal and sickening
din of party politics
The soothing and passion subduing influence which
the pursuit ofscience exerts upon the human mind,
must, to partial extent, penetrate the every day
transactions Of its devotees. There is something
elevatns in literary pursuits and scientific researche
something that transports US beyond the debasing
turmols Of the hour; and every moment that can be
distracted from the and devoted to the other is
SO much gained towards the advancement of know
edge.
There seems to be peculiar appropriateness in
officers Of the army and navy (although this insttu-
ton is not confined to them) lending to such cause
fha aid hair cfa
led, in the discharge OF duty to almost every section
Of the habitable globe, they have opportunities to
collect numerous specimens in natural history; to
make observations upon the climate, soil, resources
and productions of countries visited upon the habits
manners, language, and pursuits of the population;
upon the celestial and terrestrial phenomena that
almost daily and nightly occur; and in thousand
ways to promote the qualification of their fellow citi
zens at horne. That they will not permit those OPP
portunites to pass unimproved, may be assumed by
all who are familiar with their intelligence patriotism
and spirit .
Copies of the Constitution and Bylaws have been
extensively distributed among the officers Of the army
and navy, accompanied by circular letter soliciting
their cooperation and instructions Tor preserving spe
cimens in natural history.
To make our readers acquainted with the objects
of the Institution, and at the same time inviting yea
lous aid, we insert the Constitution, and add the
circular letter. for the information Of such as have not
had copy thereof addressed 10 them
The officers of the Institution are ::
Directors. Hon. JOEL R. PoINsETr, Secretary of
War, and Hon. JAMES X. PAULprNa, Secretary of
the Navy.
Confederation JOHN Quincy ADAMS, Col
J. J. ALERT, Col. JosEpH G. TOTEM, A. McW1L-
LIAMs, M. d., and A. O. DAYTON. as
Observation-Disclosures j. STONE
Corresponding Secretary.-F.N MARKoE, Jr.
Recording Secretary THOMPSON
There are eighty-four resident, three honorary,
and ninety-one corresponding members. All Cover
nors of States, and Diplomatic, Consular and Com
mercia Agents of the United States, who are not
otherwise connected with the Institution, shall er
o6cio, be considered corresponding members, and
contributions and communications are requested from
them. g
CONSTITUTION.
ART. /. This society shall be named "THE M. i
TIoNAL INSTITUTION FOR THE PROMOTION OF
&El |
Art. 2. It shall hold its meetings at the CITY Of
Washington.
ART. g. 1t shall be composed of Resident, Cores
ponding, and Honorary members.
ART. A. The Resident members shall be persons |
residing in the District of Columbia; CORRESPONDING
members shall be persons residing out of the District
of Columbia, who wish to aid the Institution by their
contributions or communications; and the class Of
Honorary members shall be composed Of eminent |
men residing out of the District of Columbia.
ART. 5. Resident members removing from the
District of Columbia SHALL on request be transferred
to the list of corresponding MEMBERS and rice versa
ART g. The officers Of the Institution shall consist
OF two Directors, a Treasurer, Corresponding and
Recording Secretaries, and five Councillors |
ART. Z. The officers shall constitute a Board oil
Management OF the fiscal concerns of the Institution
and any five members Of the Board shall be quorum
Ior the transaction of ordinary business.
ART. 8. The Secretaries of War and the Navy, for
the time being, SHALL with their consent, be direc
tors but upon the refusal of one both of them to
accede to the request of the institution such director
or directors shall be chosen the same manner as is
herein provided for the appointment of other officers
The other officers shall be elected for the term of one
year. or until their successors shall be appointed from
among the resident members of the Institution This
election shall take pace at the annual meeting and
each member OF the Institution who is duly qualified
ana shati be present at such meeting, shall have |
vote in said election. ',
Arr. 8. The annual meeting shall be held on the
flrst Monday IN each year, soon thereafter as
may be convenient the stated meetings on the Sc |
cond Monday in each month and special meetings
whenever i've resident member, shall concur in
request 10 that effect. .''I
ART 10. One of the directors, Or in his or their |
absence, the senior member of the council present
shall preside at all meetings of the Institution I'll
neither Of these members shall be present. the meet
ing shall elect IFS own chairman.
Arr. III. The election Of members shall be by |
ballots all candidates for membership shall be ballot
ted for by the Institution, on the nomination of a |
member TO the council and of the council TO the So
rietr.