Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-10-07
FROM THE NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER.

FROM THE NEWARK ADVERTISER.
Professor HESRH presented the Society an account
the organization and progress of the Smithsonian Institution
He stated in the of his remarks that hoped
the communication he about make would be
sdered irrelevant the objects of the Society, since the ar
which had been adopted for the organization of the Institution
contemplated cooperation with the Historical Literary and
Scientific Societies Of our country.
JAMES SMITHsos, of England, LEFT his property, upwards
of $500 0O0 in trust the United States America in his
own words, "to found AZ Washington, under The name o.
The Smithsonian Lstituon an Establishment for tie increase
and Infusion Of knooedge among men"
The trust well KNOWN was accepted by our Govern
men,he money paid an agent appointed receive
it and by him deposited in the United States Treasury,
British gold The Government therefore became responsible
for the faithful discharge of the obligation incurred, that
of carrying the intentions Of the donor After delay
eight years. act Of Congress passed August TO- 1885,
constituting the President and the other principal Executive
officers Of the General Government the Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court the Mayor of Washington, and such other
persons they might elect honorary members establish
under the Of the Smithsonian Institution for the
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, The men,
bers and honorary members of this establishment hold
stated and special tngs for the supervision of the affairs Of
the Institution and for the advice and instruction of Board
OF Regents, to whom the financial and other affairs
entrusted.
The Board Of Regents consists Of three members ex-oco
the establishment namely the Vice President of the United
States the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Mayor
of Washington, together with other members three
of whom appointed by the Senate from body three
by The House of Representatives from its members and
citizens large appointed by joint resolution of both Houses
70 this board given the power Of elecng Secretary and
other officers for conducting the active operations of the In
stiulion.
Much diversity Of opinion existed the plan of osa-
nzalion.
The act Of Congress establishing the institution directed
part Of the plan the formation Of library, museum and
gallery OF arts together with provisions for physical research
and popular lectures, leaving the Regents Abe power Of
adopting such other parts OF the organization they might
best suited for the promotion OF the purposes OF the es
tator
After much deberaion the Regents resolved divide the
annual income thirty thousand hundred and fifty dollars
into two equal parts part 10 be devoted the increase
and diffusion Of knowledge 10y of original research and
publications the other half Of the income be applied, in
accordance with the requirements Of the Of Congress-
the gradual formation OF library, museum, and gallery
of art.
They led this distribution and the adoption Of the
annexed programme by the following considerations prnc-
paly deduced from the will of Smithson:
The bequest is for the benefit of mankind The
eminent OF the United States is merely carry
the design of the teststor.
The institution national abshmen as is fire.
queny supposed but the establishment individual and
| is TO bear and perpetuate his name.
The objects OF the institution arefrs increase and
second, to d,huse knowledge smonE men
4. an
other The FIRST 10 iucrase the existing
., ..shs and the second disseminate
| knowledge thus increased among men.
The will makes restriction favor of any particular
kind OF knowledge hence all branches entitled share
| of attention
knowledge be increased by different methods Of
clitang and promoting the discovery truths and
be efficiently dused among by Of the press
T. To effect the greatest OF good the organization
should be such enable the Institution produce
in the way of increasing and dusing knowledge which
not be produced by the existing institutions country
he eh.ulH ais ha he pta1
Professionally be easily reduced practice receive mod
hcatons be abandoned in whole part without
order make up o- the loss OF time oceasoned by
the delay eight years in establishing the inon
siderable portion OF the interest which has accrued should be
added TO the principal
10 In proportion the wide field Of 10 be cult
vated the funds small Economy should therefore be
suited the construction of the building and only the
first the edfce should be considered also the
nua expense OF keeping repair and OF the support Of the
necessarily connected with it. There should also
be but few individuals permanently supported by the institution
H. The plan and dimensions OF the building should be de-
termned BY the plan Of the organization and the
IL IL should be recolected that mankind 10 general 10
be benefited BY the bequest and that therefore, al
expenditure local objects would be Peerson Of the
trust.
Is Besides the foregoing considerations eueed imred-
aely from the will Of Smihson regard had certain
requirements Of the act Of Congress the institution
namely, library museum aud gallery OF att with build
ing liberal scale 10 contain them
The following the details Of the parts Of the general
plan Of organization Professionally adopted he meeting Of
the Regents December sh, ls47 and nov the process
Of being carried into execution
DETAILS OF THE FIRST PART OF THE PLAN.
To Increase ksowLEDeE, IL Is proposed 10 stimulate
research By Offering reoards consisting 81 money, mtdaL
ETC., for original memoirs all subjects u investigation
The memoirs thus obtained 10 be Published il series
Volumes in quarto FORM and entitled Smithsonian Conrbu-
ticns 10 knowledge.
No memoir subjects Of physical science to be accept
ed for publication, which does furnish positive addition
to human knowledge resting original research and all
unverifed specuations to be rejected.
s. Each memoir presented the institution be submitted
for examination q commission Of Of reputation for
learning in the branch which the memoir pertains aud 10 be
accepted tor publication only in the report Of this
mission 10 favorable
L. The commission che BY the officers OF the nsi-
tuon and the OF the author far practicable
! ccaled, unless favorable decision be made.
The volumes OF the memoirs be exchanged for the
transactions OF literary and scientific societies. and copies be
given TO all the colleges and principal libraries this country
Que part OF the remaining copies be offered for SALE and
the other carefully form complete Of work.
to supply the demand frum institutions
An abstract popular Of the Of these
memoirs to be given the public through the annual report
the Regents to Congress
H. To increase knowledge il is also proposed appropr-
ate portion Of The income, annually, 10 special objects
Of research, under the direction Of suitable persons.
mended by councillors OF the institution.
Appropriation in different years be made different
Objects that in Of time each branch of knowledge
may receive a share.
The results obtained from these appropriations to be
published with the memoirs before mentioned in the volumes