Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-05-04
Smithsonian rn.iiiufn

Nc. The Union estimates the number assembled on th
Mall 5000. After prayer by the Rev, Mr.. McJton n
d. French. Esq. Grand Master OF the Grand Lodge i,
Washington. assisted by Charles Gilman. Esq and Col
James Page the Grand Masters respectively OF tho Mary
land and Pennsylvania Grand Lodges proceeded To Ia,
the cornerstone with the ceremonies usual such
sons Mt French was dressed in the apron presented
Cen Washington by the Masonic Lodge OF France by In,
hand OF Lafayette, and used the Gavcl with which Ger
Washington otieiated when he laid the cornerstone o.
the Capitol.
The Masonic ceremonies being over, Mr.. DALLAS the
Vice President OF the u. S. and Chancellor OF the Smith
son'an Institute, delivered tho following appropriate and
| beautiful address:
FRIENDS AND rktLow-errrskss 1t has been deemed
proper that at ceremony interesting present 10
the Smithsonian Institution its chief officers should mako
to You few general remarks explanatory origin Its
purposes Its plan aad its prospects. Let mo- therefore
| ask your attention while undertake that duty
The Congress OF the United States by an act passed on
tue luih OF August last organized ian esfabishraen
through the fundamentally OF which spply faithfully TO
It's directed objects lagacy of five huudrcd thousand dol
lars, received 10y our under will OF NH
i"sophe and benevolent Englshman. This ESTABLISH
1eHf Is composed OF our highest public funconarics for
The time bcing-he President the Vice President the
Chie Justice, and the heads the six executive DEPART
ments, with the Commission Of the Patent Office and
the Mayor OF Washington; and, the active council of
management, board s created OF 6cen known IN the
act by the scholastic name OF "regeHt" fifth Of them
chosen by the Senate another fifth by the House of Rem
feseniatNe and the remaining three 6fhs by the Joint
acton OF both legislative chambers. IL is TO accomo-
cate TINS imposing agency g. permanent and suits.
ole means win whioh e. crccuatc Its important Vari-
purposes and shelter well as exhibit rs eollectps
and property that Congress cuoIncd 10 b, erected of
plain and durable materials and structure without unpe,es.
sary ornament the edfce whose cotnet-s,one Won have
sNiuuly deposited.
James Sn''hson Londoner born, and claiming TO be
the OF Distinguished Bobcman gave his life exrlpsix.
~ TO intellectual pursuits anu especially researches m
physea. and experimental science. Supplied with larger
means than his wants required, and steadily practising
strict scheme personal economy, he amused considerable.
fortune. lie died Genoa lSll and bv hfs ,,h 4.
queathed his accumulated properly to this Union-a conn
that Notwithstanding ms frequent change Of abode no
had never visited, whose citizens he had never associated
with but whose inevitable uturc he saw the most solid
ground which the anchor OF his fame Tn
legacy, Tor me the subject OF litigation m the Brush
court OF ChauceTl was hnay secured, brought over and
received into the treasury the United States on ia, la
Of September 1855 It's exact amount when ,irr,si,sd
vas i've bundled and fifteen thousand one hundred and
siXy-u,ne dollars.
The legacy accompanied by declaration Of it, de-
" ana the execution OF that desn has been assumed a.
"eNby an acceptance OF the money BY open and
formal ayowas by government was "to found an
restitution 81 Washington the increase and diffusion OF
knowledge among men, found. not an academy not
college. university bai something les technical and
precise, something whose import and circuit should be
eoioer and more comprehensive institution not merely
for Ssenilaing, speeding tescanc knowledge butas6
and foremost tor creating originating, increasing Where
az In me city whose name iecas the puresi and
noocs spl5 o. the rcest, newest and broades linr And
anoag wAont Not chosen OF designated cass-not the
followers % particular sage sect-no the aycr,es of
iorunC, no; the ucd OF ranAbut among NEvncn of ev-
cry condition. o. every school, OF every faith OF every na,y
. !-NEN! IL was with purpose thus elevated and 4
pansve thus well distinct and uldiscminaiing tb,
James Smiths'l committed his wealth the guardianship
o. the American republic. aaievcr NAV be the difference
Of opinion as 20 the comparative the many modes OF
practically raz ag h- purpose quite certain that the
good faith and bcs; oNertons OF country are soemny
pledged 20 Iis fuliment.
We Try Ittry sincerely indefatisaby trust worth
ly-lry u through all the diversified and promis NJ chan
nes-iry % with 40 narrow cxclsyene' OF choice or pre-
JUDGE a. 10 systems sciences ~ The intention o.
TIE heneisetoF was 90 make his endowment persunI,
fountain 90 wIsdum well practical as theuretic or inns,
-nzuyc. whose living waters should br uncc-spgI F5f
5-ts- 10 advance The intelligence, comfort and happiness
.gnll be rEs.
wAco, deiln; dav. I trust i, shall be see, Tia,
~i'an the walls oi 'hls building nature are
force By gss slGg arches from their hidden recess
mingled with the stock a-eody boarded BY genius and
INDUSTRY anf thence pfoilcy caefcd by Eratutlus lee
lures PUB c1r1a-, The benefit o.. a when IL b, b.
ihat here uliyer-a scIcncc finds food r1u.r,ep
and o1neart, her spring invention her studio and
m1te'.' and both shall have in-oncs OF disciples from
ne fa-N- 20 our pc emu Gus rr enlightenment or eager
i'a--1en, The condition of legacy will have been
performed and me vide philanthropy Of Smthsoa have
| -salsy.l .ss am.
A beginning 90 toe plan Tor cIsetng result so 1
e't'i7f Igr-- have deemed and declared the erection
o' .arge and commodous edIfce INDISPENSABLE The
board a' regents were hy the legislative charter nstruc
10 'seee' a7-' ~ '-ey were organized, site and
Cause srl-uss O. &c reared. end that structure 10
--crni 70 and wltn --I-1c halls Tor the re-
etfara ard arrangement upon liberal scale" FIRST of
objects of natural history, including geological and mine,
roogea cabiue', ser0Hd o chemical labor7fo-v. 49,
oi library; fourth, OF -,rsry Of ari. 6f,b ot an, r
say lecture r1 and s<ia oil the national cabine, Of Gu
f!osues and Fec., poorly and partially accorn dated
% the upper story Of the Patent Office. II the first .u,
% the regents o'o5ey the uuequocai behoss Of Congress
to carry them ont faithfully, the scale and in the Fp
they obviously imports and lct their measures flow NOT
IRON Heii own discretion but from provisions Of In.
law which they ere empowered execute say this in
explanation OF the dimensions which the building must no
cessarly take In nuatona cousscrated 4, th.,
Gus and bOundless objects that tend IL increase and dina
knowledge" Is erection vi not subtract one do lar from
Le lnd entrusted by generous stranger the care our
government but mus pc betrayed by a contribution vo'p,
taIy sdded by Con- '!om own treasury under e
name OF interest accrued before toe first Of July 1916 II
8 des gned 20 participate. sluoite, IN the duration
aud march 81 glorious Unon-to be she dep 1st1rv oil
all tho rare productions nature and s whca Genuine
may gather and 70 throw open halls suc emily ample Q,
contain me kn'wedgc-stehrg masses of couuuymer
Congress haze stamped this character upon H. by
ing and appf'puaing s vast interior compartments and
/ by other positive expressions Of iheir will
10 conform strictly 10 Instructions and vet keen within
the pecuniaTy limits assigned hem-to provide the sp,re
called io and yet avoid the appearance ~ unncce.
say e1pans'no combine soldty with architectural hcsu
ana Wholesome ycnuauon-and 20 satisfy at once true
taste and stern economy by baushing useless
were aims always controlling and upporm1st with the r..
GEMS no" Tar bCy have succeeded, time will show and
must DC lett 70 inc candof OF public opinion. Not doubt
ing that the experienced and reliable contraction. for f
work will accomplish their undertaking IN all ia de,,I,
with eKaeuiude and fidelity, may venture o. give Won an
anticipation IN bret Of the building whose first stone 7 m
laid. "'"
Is extouE will present specimen Of The STYLE Of a-b
lecture That prevailed some TX centuries agJ ,n,y I'm
many, Normandy, end southern Europe which 1fce,J,J
hr Gothic, and continues recommend itself Tor .truc.
lures Ike us 70 the mOst enlightened judgments II 10
known as ihe Norman more sinci spoak n.y. the
bard style. 10 barm0nzes alike with the extent the gr,
uses ana tho massive strength Of the cJfcs: t exact
certain variety 90 the forms Of rs parts aad d aurles
any additions that convenience may require u, matter hos,
scemingy irregular lney may be-.
10 "N extend cost and west entire front of i9G feet
having central building NJ - 5y 300 Tee, boo the clear
insde with Two towers; two wngs oi UNEQUAL irons-1,
east one - by - eci Do the clear inside with yssbue
ana porch attached 10 ~ the IS by g. feet IN tho
GEAR inside, with northern scmi-cifcu.lr pr.ccu,p
4 iu'sc wings vii be connected with tno con,fs bid,,
" Two ranges I'd feet in length tie clear inside n
vi" nave central rear tower, and other Ypsrz of Frrp,
neshis sf-s and cuar1cto-two Of them placed i'm u -
WING AL hcc uumtols towers arc o-scuiia O., arrange
henH "un-1s tIes Hpifw8ys. yelf.1tors and d,,4.t.
e $50 feet '"'- '''" '' 10
10 The fret story oi he central building yg boz ,-e,,.I
10 ~ Hc library, Che ellie. lecture room end the r,r,p,I
h'I he ''c'-d e'1Y hy r museum The lsb,r5t.,y Id
chemical lecture room w. occupy fI, ,a.t vino. ID . l
Icry Of art iho western wing lld yrc.,.rn 49,,
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