The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-01

Thy Providence, may be reared up in Thy name ana
rebound to Thy glory. May the building here To-
srected as depository of the curious works of art ana
nature, and ernblems of national Distinction be NOR.
than sufficient Tor this worthy and honorable purpose
May il become monument OF usefulness to as a ma
ton, and matter OF admiration 10 the nations Of The
world In the deposit of national symbols. may be
central point OF peace and friendship for the king
doms and governments OF the earth; And may he
nations which shall be represented in its halls find
themselves in union, firmly leagued for the encourage
ment of national prosperity the promotion of and IN
elligence, and the increase OF human happiness. MAY
il be as a central sun OF science, about which system,
NAV revove and from which light and knowledge Inay
reflected throughout every cline and kingdom of Ii,
globe And in the accomplishment of these great and
important results may the blessings Of the nations fol-
Ss he Sou ay Dement'S s fa sssp
flow until time shall be no more.
In all our civil and domestic relations, may remem
Der religious duties, and contribute OF our means
services, and characters to the increase OF Thy church
and the advancement of Thy glory; that we may be
people truly serving Thee, honoring Thy name in our
walks and works of righteousness and in the possession
of happiness under Thy smiles and favor.
Let Thy priests, Lord, be clothed with righteousness
and Thy saints rejoice in goodness ed Chron vi All
Let Thy way be known in all the earth, Thy saving
Grant that the course of this world may be so peacea
bly, ordered by Thy governance that Thy church may Joy
fully serve Thee in all Cody quieness that Thy people
may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and last be
numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting
Hearken Lord God, beseech Thee, to the PRAYERS
and suppIcations which we have now presented beior
Thee And let it be Thy good pleasure to grant our
requests, which we offer in the and through the
merits OF Thy Son Jesus, and our Lord to whom, with
Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory world
without end Amen.
b. b. French, esq, the grand master of the Grand Loge
of this city, otciaed in the discharge OF the masonic
ceremonies with his usual taste. He was accom-.
panied by large body Of brother masons, and supported
by Charles Gilman esq, the grand master of the Mary
land Lodge, and Col James Page, the grand master Of
the Pennsylvania Lodge and collector OF the port Of
Philadelphia, who had come for the special purpose
OF participating the ceremonies Among the other visit
ors were happy TO see in masonic costume, Colonel
Florence, of Philadelphia. Mr.. French was dressed
in the apron which had been presented to Gen. Wash
ingon by the Masonic Lodge of France through the hands
of Lafayette One of Washington's descendants had pre-
scented it to lodge in Shepherdsown, Virginia. and was
by them transmitted, this morning, to Washington to
worn on this occasion by the grand master of the Wash
ngon Lodge Mr. French also used upon this occasion the
gavel with which Gen. Washington had OBLIGATED when
he laid the corner stone of the Capitol Mr. French pro-
ceeded to deposit inthe hollow of the corner stone va
rety OF memorials, consisting of the Constitution Of the
United States, (Mr. Hickeys edition) specimens
OF the coins of country, sheet OF Mr.. Bancros
History Evidences of the Grant and Origin Of the Smith
sonian Institutions the newspapers OF the day. and
plate with the following inscription
On the first day Of May, ls47. was laid, in the city Of
Washington, this foundation stone OF building, be APP
proprinted for the Smithsonian Institution
President of the United States.
Corporation President of the United States; Vice Pres
dent of the United States Secretary of State Secretary
of the Treasury Secretary Of War; Secretary Of the Navy
the United States Commissioner Of Patents Mayor
Board Of Regerts--ceorge NJ Dallas Vice Pesiden. Of
the United States; Roger b fancy, Chief Justice W
'seaton, Mayor of the city Of Washington Lewis Cas-
James si peaae United nsa R Rss
Owen United States representative William Hough
as NUNS c hhsny u
Rush, Pennsylvania; Gideon Hawley, New York; VIII
o% & JOSEPH sPS9 en pf a hss Ma
oGcers1,,Sleo5ge NJ Dallas, Chancellor Executive Com
Robert Dale Owen Y Bd"s Comi ,1sspnR Robert r0 p
Owen, chairman Joseph G. Totten; w. w. Seaon, Je
ssph Henry Secretary Charles a;e Jsws Assistant Sc
Assistant Architect and Superintendent.
Mr. French then poured upon the stone the customary
wine, oil, and corn, accompanied by very happy adj
dress.
Mr. Dallas the Vice President of the United States
and the chancellor OF the Smithsonian Institute then de-
livered the following luminous and eloquent address,
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: It has been deemed
proper that, at ceremony interesting as the present
to the Smithsonian Institution, its chief officer should
make to you few general remarks explanatory OF its
origin, its purposes, It's plan and its prospects Let me-
therefore, ask your attention while undertake that
duty
The Congress OF the United States by an act passed
the 10th of August last, organized San establishment
through the insirumentaliy Of which to apply faithfully
to ITS directed objects legacy of five hundred thousand
dollars, received by our government under the will Of
yphosophic and benevolent Englshman. This "cslnb
iislment is composed Of our highest public function
aries for the time bengthe President The Vice
dent the Chief Justice and the heads Of the six executive
departments, with the Commissioner of the Patent Office
and the Mayor of Washington; and. as the active coun.
c OF management, board is created OF ffteen known
IN the act by the scholastic of 'sregents" one
of them chosen by the Senate, another fifth by The |
House of Representatives, and the remaining threefih
by the joint action of both legislative chambers tsW
accommodate this imposing agency 10 give it permanent
and various purposes and to shelter as well exhibit M
collections and property that Congress enioined TO be
erected, "of plain and durable materials and structure
without unnecessary ornament" the edifce whose cor
ner stone you have seen so skifuy deposited
James Smlthson, a Londoner born and claiming to be
the son of distinguished nobleman gave his life ey.
cusively to intellectual pursuits, and especially TO re-
searches IN physical and experimental science Supplied
WIN larger means than his wants required, and steadily
practising strict scheme of personal economy, he
amassed considerable fortune He died at Genoa in 1922
and by his will bequeathed his accumulated property
this Unon--a country that, notwithstanding his frequent
change OF abode, he had never visited, whose czen
he had never associated with, but in whose inevitable
future he the most solid ground on which TO The
anchor Of his fame. This legacy, for some time the sub
lect OF litigation in the British court of chancery, was
finally secured, brought over and received into the treas
ury OF the United States on the LIST of September Sh
It's exact amount when deposited, was five hundred and
hftcen thousand one hundred and sixy-nine dollars
Inc legacy was accompanied by declaration OF ~
design and The execution of that design has been as
sumed, as well by acceptance of the money by sev
a. open ana formal ayoWals by our government It was