Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-09-17
From the National lntclligcncer.
THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.


The Regents of this Institution assembled
in this city on Monday last, in obedience to
tuition. There were present
The Vice President of the United States.
The Chief Justice of the United States.
The Mayor Of Washington.
The Hon. George Evans, of Maine.
The Hon. |, 5. Penny hacker, of Virginia.
The Hon. W. J. liough, Of New York.
The Hon. r. ID. Owen, of Indiana.
The Hon. II. w. IIillard, of Alabama.
The Hon Rufus Choatc, Of Massachusetts.
The Hon. Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania.
DIR. Gideon lIawlcy, of New York.
Professor A. ID. Bache, of Washington.
Col. j. q, Totten, of the Corps of Engineers.
Absent the Hon. w. G. Preston, of South
Carolina, who is detained at the South by in
disposition and the Hon. Sidney Brecse, who
had proceeded home TO Illinois before his ap-
pointncnt, aud of course could not have re-
ccivcd notice early enough to enable him To
return to Washington IN time for the meeting
This general attendance of the Regents
some of them from great distanuc-cvinces
an appreciation of the duty committed to them
honorable to the gentlemen elected, are aus
piclous, we think, tor the success of the ini-
portant Institution whose enduring foundation
they are now met to lay.
We understand that, after provisional and
temporary organization, by calling the Vice
President of the United States 10 the chair,
and appointing the Hon. Mr.. Hough Secretary
pro tenn, the Regents spent the remainder of
the sitting, first, in reading of the law con-
sttutng the Institution, then in free inter-
change of views, general survey of the pow
ers and duties dcvolvcd on them, and of those
of the officers created by the law.
SECOND DAYS SITTING.
The Regents of the Smithsonian Institution
were in session on Tuesday from ten to three
o'clock. BY the poltcncss ofthc acting chief
Of the Patent Office, they were accommodated
with the use of large and airy room in that
building.
OF the business transacted on Tuesday, we
learn generally that the Board of Regents was
fully organized by the unanimous election of
the Hon. George NJ. Dallas, Vice President Of
the United States, as Chancellor of the Instl-
tuition, and the appointment of the Hon. Mr..
llough, one of the Regents, as Secretary of tho
Institution, whose services are of course gra,
tuitous, and his appointment designed to be-
temporary, the Board, as we understand, not
being prepared at present to make a perma-
ncnt choice for that office. The Mayor of
Washington was appointed chairman of tho
Executive Committee required by law to be
raised and the Hon. II. ID. Owen aud Col.
Tottcn associate members thereof.
THIRD DAYS SITTING
The board of Regents on Wednesday, after,
as we understand, considering and disposinr
of variety of subjccts, and referring others tn
committees to be reported on and decided
hereafter, adjourned to the last Monday in
November next Among the subjects which
were referred, as we learn was that of plan
for an cdtice for the Institution. A commit
tee, consisting of the Chancellor, Secretary,
and Executive Committee, was appointed to
take charge of various designs offered to the
Board, to consult architects in reference to
them and any others, and report the plan of n
building to the next meeting of the Board.
Another committee was appointed to consider
and report system or plan for carrying out
most completely, and most in conformity with
the presumed intentions of Mr.. Smthson, the
great object expressed BY the words of his will,
'thc increase and diffusion of knowledge
among men"
The Board of Regents having decided gene
rally to place the Institution ON the Public
Mall, south OF the canal, they on "Wednesday,
by appointment, met the President of the Uni
ted States (who was attended by several MEM
bcrs of his CabncD on the Mall, and took u
general view of that extensive aud beautiful
Reservation, but came To no conclusion az TO
precise locality for the Institution. 'Fhc sub
jrct of site was afterwards referred to a com.
mite to consider and report on. 1t is said,
however, that the prcpondcrancc of opinion in
the Board is in favor of the section between
Seventh and Twelfth streets, or between Scy.
cnth and Fourteenth streets.
TuE ARTISAN Wilt At EAST BosrnN-
This welt Is situated un tho southwest pnrt of
the hiii 10 tho east of tho town, aud but u few
rods distance from tho road leading TO the Sa.
lem turnpike. The site selected is a very ia.
Norablo Que. a building has been erected,
aud II powerful steam engine set NJ work,
which, II is the Iuienllnn "i The superintendent,
Ia keep in operation night ard day I'll depth
sufficient To ensure h constant aud inll suppIy
Of water IL obtained. The drill has already
reached . depth of more iban tieo huaGred and
ogLiy feet, one hundred and twenty of which
are through ledge Of rocks For about ono
hundred aud sixty feet an Irup pipe is let into
the ground Tor the remaining distance the
rxcn,aled rock itself inrns u well protected
tube. The diameter ~ The t!rll IL oiyhi and -
half Wchts Every two or three hours tha
drIll IL drawn, bringing up vitl IL all the mate
rails which have been cAca,aed, ~ that tho
drll makes clean work rs II goes. a depth of
from eight 10 Twelve feet each day is pcnetra.
ted, according to the nature of tho malcria.
through which the drill - driven. ~ somo