New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-01
From Washington.
Things In Washington.
,o,, c,ry Re5,lsy Correspondent.


WASHINGTON. April 18th, ls4s-
Tor,orrov Congress breaks ID for short season
NJ recreation As !. is the fashion 10 away from
this city, on any convenient opportunity, shall
seize The occasion TO make Tip 10 New ork- and
shall CARY this letter with me- shall return wiki
the big men on Monday or Tuesday.
The city tonight is alive with romors OF dlsas-
trous battles. believe that important Dispatches
have been received this evening 9, the War Depart
uent, from Gen. TAYLoR's army, and The conse-
quent story is, tina; grand engagement had taken
place between our army and the Mexicans, and that
several hundreds Of our army were killed l rast
this is merely rurnor. and ss such only l give II
I have 10 doubt however thar the Dispatches con-
tain important information.
You have already seen the vote on the passsg &c
ofthe bfll TO establish the Smithsonian Institute II
passed in the form Of Mr.. HoCeH's amendment. 10
which some other anendmen were ADOPTED Inc
most i'm portaDt is that offered By Mr. MARSH OF -
approprsting SIS 900 pc, annum orihe P0rcnass OF
books for Library. The bill is long one but the
following synopsis, which ! lake from the ln.eiH-
gencer will ex plain its imports:
SEcl Provides that the President the Heads OF the
Executive Departments the Chef Justice Com
er of the Patent Office and the Mayor OF "asnnsiou'
With such other persons they may eject honorary
members shall be constituted establishment oy toe
name Of 1.-The Smithsonian Institution and 70 nave per
pe,uai succession. -
SEC The principal OF the bequest (s55l69) is loan
ed in perpeuity 20 the United States al per cent from
the 10, September 1893 and the interest nicn nas az
ready accrued 1922 800 is appropriated 70 tue erection
Of buildings anc othe: expenses.
src 2 The business 10 De conducted By Board OF
Regents 70 be composed Of the Vice-Presioent tne
Chief Justice the Mayor OF Washington three Sens
tors and three Representatives with ak other persons
rvVo whom ,hsl be members OF The National institute
In the ctr OF WsIhp gop and the other four TO oe resi-
dents Of the States The Regents TO appoint one oil tneF
number Chancellor, who shall be the pfss'o'ns on
Ger also Secretary and other necessary eElcels-
SEC Z A site 10 be selected by tie Regents Tor the
necessary buildings which site may be taken out OF me
public ground, lying between the fs,eht o.Ace Atio
street, il the President and the Heads OF ESeca
tive Departments such selection II not tnrn
TO be taken from any other public grounds WITHIN the
city.
SEC s Provides for the erection Of the buildings in
which accommodation Is 10 be made for tue reception
and arrange upon liberal scale OF objects OF Nat
ural History including Geological and Minera!ogics,
Cabinets Chemical Laboratory. Library, 1aiery OF
Ans and necessary lecture rooms-which buildings u
on the Patent Office square may 40 connect win the
Patent Office building 10 form. in appearance, wing
TO that building. :,
Syc All objects of art and OF curious research, al!
objects OF history plants geological and mineral
ogica specimens belonging or to belong 10 'ae Cn'leu
States which De in the city OF washington 70 De oe
vered up 10 the Institution and the BOOKS manuscript
minerals cabinet &c OF Mr.. Smi;hson 10 be also deV-
cred up and deposited in the building
SEC :. The secretary TO be the librarian and Keeper
Of the museum. and 10 employ assistants
SEC g From the interest OF the fund an appropriation
not exceeding Of SIS 900 annually is mace
for the gradual formation OF library 70 DC composer
works pertaining TO all departments OF human Know
ledge
SEC g. ANY accruing interest not herein appropriated
or required for the purposes specified In the act may be
disposed OF the Regents may deem best for the promo
ton of the purposes Of the teststor.
Sec 10 Reserves to Congress the right OF altering
amending adding TO- repeating any OF the provisions
Of the act.
JAMES H. PIPER has been appointed Chief CLERK
in the office of Commissioner OF the General Land
office in place OF JoHs Nj. MOORE.
Among the passengers by the cars from this City
last night were Messrs BELL and You've OF Ken
lucky DIXON and family Of CT. &c. &c. who have
taken advantage Of the short recess OF Congress TO
visit the North. Messrs. CHIPMAS of Mich and 9th
ers Of that k also going to honor your City with
q visit
large number of Mail Contractors are now in
this City. They visit the President in body to-
morrow morning and dine at Coleman's in the even
ing hlcHELlEU