The daily union., 1846-04-29


The journal of yesterday was read and sP-
proved
POST ROUTES.
Mr.. w. HUNT, on leave given, offered the fol-
lowing resolution; which was adopted
RlOlpsd That the Committee ON the Post once and Post
Roads be instructed to inquire into the expedency Of essb
fishing post road from LockPor in the State OF New York.
TO Somerset, in New York
Mr.. DOCKERY, on leave given, offered the fol-
lowing resolution which was adopted
RsVusd That the Committee the Post Once and Post
Roads be instructed 70 inquire into the esPedency OF esab
Carolina by the way Of Daniel Reap's Bnd MorganS mills
Rocky river to Clear Creek post once In
county, North Carolina, and back BY Thomas ROlsnd's
Mr.. YOST, from the Committee on Engraving,
reported the following resolution; which was read
considered, and agreed to-yiz:
RssOpsd That the map chart compsnying ument
No sO relative the ship channel ship ISLAND Mis-
sissiPp sound transmitted 10 this House be published
with tho said document, which has been ordered 10 be
printed by the said House.
Mr.. Y. also, from the same committee, reported
the following resolution which was read, consider
ed, and agreed to-yiz;
Rssossd That the chart Of Green Bay, accompany ing
document No 10 as transmitted to this House be publish
ed with the said document which has been ordered to be
printed by the House.
The SPEAKER announced the unfinished busi-
ness TO be the bill in relation To the Smithsonian in
sttution
Mr.. ROBERT SMITH asked leave to introduce
a bill, OF which notice had been given.
Objection was made.
Mr. GORDON made an Intellectual motion TO sus-
pend the rules, for the purpose of calling the
committees for reports.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
On motion Of Mr.. MCKAY. the House resolved
itself into Committee Of the Whole on the state Of
the Union, (Mr. BURT, Of South Carolina, in the
chair \ and the Of IN. hill a.
provide for the establishment Of Smithsonian n-
sttrtion for the increase and diffusion Of knowledge
among men.
The amendment given notice Of by Mr.. A. JOHs-
SON last evening, was read at the request of several
members.
Some conversation ensued between Mr. OWEN
and others
Mr.. HAMLlN briefly addressed the committee
lie regarded this fund one which had been re-
eeyed by the government to carry out the intentions
OF Mr. Smithson to which, by their acceptance, they
had soemnly bound themselves.
He alluded to the dificulty-nay, the impossi-
blty-of any select committee agreeing upon a
plan which in all its details should be in accordance
with the views Of all. Notwithstanding this, he
trusted we should not let this opportunity 90 by TO
make a commencement in this matter. He had not
the slightest doubt Of the full and unqualified power
OF this government to take charge Of this money
and give 1t the direction required by the will Of
Mr.. Smithson.
| While there we're features in the bill with which
he was not entirely pleased he should vote for the
bill IN case was not amended But there were some
amendments to the bill Of the gentleman from In
diana Mr.. OWN to which he would fan hope that
gentleman himself would lend favorable ear. One
related TO the appropriation Of a part Of il to the
science ofagrcuture He referred to the general and
deporable want Of information Of the components OF
the soil, the proper mode Of treating it, the proper
adaptation Of crops to different soils, &C and said
| he wished TO see connected with this institution a
department Of agricultural chemistry, and profess
| sor OF agriculture proper.
| Mr. OWEN (Mr. H. yielding) explained that
there was an express provision of the bill to appoint
professors agriculture, and there also aaother
by which such professors Of more useful arts and
sciences were TO be appointed, which would un.
doubtedly include professor of chemistry, part OF
whose duties would be TO lecture on the application
| OF chemistry to agriculture.
| Mr.. HAMLIN was aware of this; but il should
be more specifically provided for.
lie noticed one or two features OF the bill, and
suggested one or two notifications he would like 10
see made; but if could not be amended, he urged
Its passage without further delay as a matter of
good faith, common honesty and one promising i'm
portant Dement'S to the people and the nation. He
considered the money in the treasury and the United
States responsible for the investment Of the fund ac-
cording to the intentions of the testator.
| Mr WOOD desired to say a very few words up-
on the bill. Much had been said about national
honor during this session this floor; but if there
ever was point in which the national honor was
concerned, 1t was in carrying out the intentions of
! the testator IN his bequest. For my own part,
consider 1t an honor to my country that the subec,
oil monarchical government should have selected
this as the instrument Of his expansive benevolence
The bill, however, before us was in his opinion
deiectve IN some OF It's provisions. refer particu-
lariy 10 that section which contemplates a normal
| school. When this subject was first mooted, this
part OF the bill struck him favorably; but upon
more mature reflection, he had come to the conch,-
sion that this clause was Objectionable Normal in
structlon could be only done, and we'll DONE in the
respective States, among several of which il had al
ready been commenced and besides, SIR | should
deprecate that kind of education that should flow
down from this place among the people. He re.
sponded with all his heart to the remarks made by
the honorable gentleman from Maine, fMr. HAM
LINZ IN relation to agricultural instruction. He
would do all he could to increase and diffuse usef,
| knowledge among the masses, but this could not.
would be obtained here, or by collecting at this
point splendid library. The latter might, and un-
questionably would, benefit those already learned
but not the people With the view of attaining that
object, he should offer an amendment, which he
would ask the clerk to read. THE clerk here read
the amendment, which will be found, as offered, at
subsequent stage Of the proceedings He had
hastily glanced at substitute offered by his COL
league, Mr. HoucH,l just laid on his table, and
which ne thought was less Objectionable than the
| original bill. Yet, sir, feel in common with
others, what is due to the honorable gentlemen from
Indiana, Mr.. OwEN,] the chairman of the commit
tee, for his exertlons in this matter and know how
difficult 1t is to frame bill TO meet the views of all
but difficult as it might be, it no reason why
beginning should not be made to carry out the in
tentons ofthe testator.
Mr.. A. d. SIMS offered substitute for the bill;
which was read.
Mr.. GILES submitted an amendment, providing
for the publication and distribution of books for the
instruction Of the blind; which was read He
would say nothing in favor Of the amendment lust
read, for it would be libel on the House to suppose
that any argument in favor of it would be required
| lie took 1t for granted that the committee would
now act on this subject, and he could not believe
that the proposition Of the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts Mr.. ADAMS would receive the sanction of
the committee. In the face of the world we had as
sumed this trust. We had taken the money under
the will of this distinguished stranger, but we had
delayed, for long time the execution Of the trust
He hoped the faith of the United States would not
be allowed In suffer iniurv in the ~ "A.