State journal & flag., 1846-12-11
pUpI.IC.-No. 178.

fUBLlC.-NO. no.
AN ACT to establish the "Smthsonian Insti-
tutlon," for the increase and diffusion OF
knowledge among men.
james Smnhson, esquire, of London, in the
kingdom of Great Britain, having by his last
will and testament given the whole of his
property to the United States of America to
found at Washington, under the name of the
"Snlthsonian institution" an establishment
for the increase and diffusion of knowledge
among men and the United States having
by an act of Congress received said property
and accepted said trust; therefore, tor the
faithful execution of said trust according to
the will of the liberal and enlightened donor:
SEC. L. Be ii enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives. Of the United
States of america in Congress assembled,
That the President and Vice President of the
United States. the Secretary of State, the Sec
retary of the Treasury. the Secretary of War,
the Secretary ofthe Navy, the Pos tmaster Cen
eral, the Attorney General. the Chief Justice,
and the Commissioner of the Patent Office of
the United States, and the Mayor of the city OF
w ashngton, during the time tor which they
shall hold their respective offices, and such 9Th
er persons as they may elect honorary members,
be- and they are hereby constituted. an ''estab-
lishment,' sby the name of the "Smlhsonian In
stiluton," for the increase and diffusion OF
knowledge among men; and by that name
shall be known and have perpetual succession,
with the powers. limitations, and restrictions
hereinafter contained, and no other.
SEQ Q. Ard be it further enacted, That SO
much of the property of the said James Smithson
as has been received in money, and paid into
the Treasury Of the United States, being the
sum of five hundred and fifteen thousand one
81 NJ, he iant tn
United States Treasury, at six per cent. per
annum interest from the first day OF September,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-eight, when the same was received into
the said Treasury and that so much of the in
terest as may have accrued on the said sum on
the first day Of July next, which will amount 10
the sum of two hundred and fortv-tNO thou.
sand one hundred and twenty-nine dollars, or
80 much thereof as shall by the board of regents
ofthe institution established by this act be deem
ed necessary, be, and the same is hereby. ap-
proprated for the erection of suitable buildings,
and for other current incidental expenses Of
said institution and that six per cent. interest
on the said trust fund. it being the said amount
of five hundred and fifteen thousand one hun
bred and sixty-nine dollars, received into the
United States Treasury on the first Of Septem-
Der, one thousand eight hundred and thirty
eight, payable. in ha'f-yearly payments. on the
first of January and July in each year. be, and
the same is hereby. appropriated for the perper-
ua maintenance and support of said institutions;
and all expenditures and appropriations TO be
made, from me to time, to the purposes of the
institution aforesaid, shall be exclusively from
the accruing interest, and not from the princie
pal OF the said fund. >dnd be ii further enacted.
That all the moneys and stocks which have been,
or may hereafter be, received into the Treasury
of the United States on account of the fund
bequeathed by James Smithson, be, and the
same hereby are, pledged to refund to the Urea.
sury ofthe United States the gums hereby ap-
proprIated.
SEC. 3. And be It further enacted, That the
business Of the said institution shall be conduc.
ted at the city Of Washington by a board of
regents by the name of the Regents of the
"Smthsonian Institution" TO be composed Of
the Vice Pres dent of the United States, the
Chief Justice of the United States, and the
Mayor Of the city Of Washington, during the
time for which they shall hold their respective
offices three members ofthe Senate and three
members OF the House of Representatives, to
geher with six other persons, other than mem.
bers Of Congress, two of whom shall be mem
bers Of the National Institute in the city of