Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-08

In pouring the oil upon the he said "May harmony
peace and brotheI love prevail among all connected with the
Smithsonian Institution, and may they witness the placing Of
the capsoDc Of the complete edce under circumstances
propous Is those which attend the present ceremonies
The Grand Master then informed the assembled multitude
that he held N his hand the identical gave used by the mmo
tai Washington in conducting the masonic ceremonies upon
laying the stone Of the Capitol of these United States
this happy and glorious Union, which had greatly
tended, and was still extending that could foresee
lis magnitude its power He also stated that he had the
honor then " wear apron upon the same occasion by
the Father Of his Country, which presented 10 Wash
ngton BY the Grand Lodge France through that great and
good patriot and mason General Lafayette This apron, he
said had been In Of Mount Nebo Lodge. Of Shop
herdown Virginia. for many years. and that that Lodge had
kindly delegated BROTHER s. McEoy, Esq bear the
this city, and present the Grand Lodge with
quest that by the Grand Master on this OCCASION
| which he hatIdon at the meeting of this morning.
The Grand Master then the three aps upon the stone
with the gav Of WAsHIseTos the masonic brethren pre-
sent gave the and masonic honor and the masonic
monies were concluded. ts
Mr. DALLAS the Chancellor Of the Board of Regents
| and delivered the following address:
FRIEsDs AMP FELLow- CITIzEss: 1t has been deemed
proper that at ceremony interesting the the
Smithsonian Inution its chief officer should make you
few general reDarks explanatory Of its origin its purposes
its plans and s prospects Let me- therefore, ask your at
tention while Undertake that duty
The Congressof the United States, by passed on
the 10th OF August last, organized an establishment,
through the insrmenay of which to apply faithfully to its
directed objects legacy Of five hundred thousand dollars
received by our government under the will of phiosophc
and benevolent Elgshman This g establishment
posed of hisbe public unctonares for the time being
the President the ce President the Chief Justice, and the
Heads Of the six Executive Departments with the Commits
soner of the PaeDt Office and the Mayor Of Washington
and the actyecounci Of management board created
of fleen knownn the act by the scholastic Of ire
gents" one-Gh bf them chosen by the Senate another fifth
by the House of Representatives and the remaining three
fths by the joint action of both legislative chambers 1t is
accommodate Ais imposing agency give permanent
and suitable meas with which TO eectuate its important and
various purposes and to shelter well exhibit its coec
tons and properly that Congress enoned to be erected of
plain and durabb materials and structure without
ny ornament the edfce whose cornerstone you have seen
SO skilfully deposited.
James mthssn, Londoner born, and claiming be the
of distinguished nobeman, gave his life exclusively to
Intellectual purits and especially researches physical
and experimental science. Supplied with larger than
his required, and steadily practising strict scheme Of
personal economy he amassed considerable fortune He died
Genoa in 1929, and by his WILL bequeathed his
lated property this Uniona country that notwthstand
ing his frequent change Of abode, he had visited whose
citizens he had never associated WITH but in whose inevitable
future he the solid ground which cast the
Choir of his lame This legacy for time the subject Of
litigation in the British Court Of Chancery finally
cured brought and received into the Treasury OF the
United States the LIST of September 1885, Its exact
amount, when deposited, five hundred and fifteen thou
sand one hundred and sixty mine dollars.
The legacy accompanied by declaration of its design
and the execution of that design has been assumed well
by acceptance of money by several open and oma
ayowals by our Government. 1t was found as1-
fion at Washington tor the increase and diffusion OF kaotc
ledge among men =. to found academy, not col
ege moi university, but something less techpica and pre-
ce something whose import and circuit should be holder and
more comprehensive institution merely for dssemna-
ting, spreading teaching knowledge, but ALSO and foremost
for creating originating, increasing it, Where at In the
city whose name recalls the wises pures and nobest spirit
OF the rees newest and broadcast land And among whom
Not chosen designated cassnot the followers of par
hcuar sage or secnot the avores of fortune the lift
ed Of rank-bu among MEN-men of every condition, of
of eyrry
with purpose thus elevated and expansive thus well
distinct Understanding, that James Smhson committed
his wealth to the guardianship OF the American Republic
Whatever may be the difference of opinion the compare
tive merits Of the many modes Of practically realizing this
purpose il quite certain that the good faith and best
tons Of our country soeny pledged TO its fulfment.
We must try iy sincerely, ndefatgaby, rustworthy-
through all the diversified and promising channelsty
with exclusveness of choice prejudice
systems Sciences arts The intention of the beneacor
to make his endowment perennial fountain of WISDOM
as well practical heoretc imaginative whose living
should be Increasingly distributed advance the int lii
| gence, comfort, and happiness Of human beings.
When, at distant day trust, Il shall be that
within the walls building the truths forced
by perseverng researches from their hidden recesss
with the stock already boarded by genius and industry and
thence prousey scattered by gauous lectures pubca-
tons for the benefit of all when shall be that here
universal science finds food Implements, and trbune-a
spring invention, her studio, and her models and both
shall have hrongs of disciples from the ranks of people,
emulous for enlightenment to asshen, the
philanthropy Of Smithson have achieved its aim =.
As beginning to the plan for cectng result
ing Congress have deemed and declared erection of
and commodious ed6ce indispensable. The Board of Re
gents by the legislative charter instructed select
they organized, site, and
be reared land that structure TO make " Of sufficient
and with suitable halls for the reception and arrange
men upon liberal SCALE first, of objects Of natural histo
ry including geological and neurological cabinet second
Of chemical laboratory third of library fourth, Of gal
lery Of ffh, of the necessary lecture and sir,
Of the national cabinet Of cuoses and relics poorly
and partially accommodated in the upper story Of the Patent
Office II is the first duty Of the Regents to obey the
quvocsl behess of Congesso carry them faithfully
the scale and in the spirit they obviously import and let
their flow, from their discretion but from
the provisions of the law which they empowered to
say this in explanation Of the dimensions which the
building necessarily take. II is national oneconse
Grated the various and boundess objects that tend to Gin
and dse knowledge Its erection will not subtract
dollar from the fund entrusted by generous stranger to
the of Government but must be betrayed by cont
button voluntarily added by Congress from own easury
under the of interest accrued before The list OF Juy
1886 designed to participate, satellite, in the du
ration and march Of glorious Unono be the depository
all the productions Of nature and art which centuries
gathe and to throw open halls sufficiently ample to
contain the knowledge seeking of our countymen
Congress have stamped this character upon it. by prescribing
and appropang its interior compartments and by other
positive expressions Of their will.
To conform strictly instructions and yet keep within the
pecunay limits assigned hemo provide the space called
II