The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-04
Smithsonian Institutt6n.
Correspondence Of the Journal Of Commerce.

Smithsonian lnstitutt0n.
Correspondence Of the Journal Of Commsrcc,l
WAsHlKGTok. Nov. 80, 1853.
The last report OF The Smithsonian Institution is OF
considerable interest Ii gives favorable view OF the
operations and Condition OF the institution
The following is the summary OF its operations from
the time OF its foundation
The institution has promoted astronomy by the aid
nished tue researches which led the discovery Of the
true orbit tho planet Neptune, and the determine
lion of the this planet the other bodies
OF the solar system on account their mutual attraction
II has also aided The branch o: science by furnishing
instruments and other facilities 10 the Chiian expedition
under Lieut. Gliss. and by preparing and publishing
ephemers OF Neptune, which has been adopted by all the
Il has advanced geography by providing the scientific
traveller with annual lists of the occultation Of the pnc
by The preparation eftable for asceraining heights with
the barometer, aud by the collection and publication OF
of the county particularly OF the valley ofthe Mississippi
has established extended system OF me'coroogy
consisting corps Of several hundred Intelligent observ
eIs who are daily noting the phases of the weather in
every part OF the continent OF North America has Inn
ported standard Instruments constructed hundreds OF
pared Thermometers, barometer and psychromeers, and
has furnished improved tables and directions for observ
ing with hese the various changes Of the at
mosphere as to temperature, pressure, moisture, &c. 1t
collected. and collecting from its Observers, an ex
tended series which yielding deductions Of great
Ia regard the climate Of this country and the me-
eorology OF the globe
The institution has advanced the science of geology by
its researches and original publications. u has made
preliminary exploration Of the remarkable region on the
Upper Missouri river called the Bad Lands, and is now
printing crptive memoir the extraordinary remains
which abound in that locality Il has assisted in expora-
relative 10 the distribution in this county OF the
mains of microscopic animals found in auant
ties in different parts Of the United States
at mporant contributions 10 botany by means
Of the published results Of explorations IN Texas, New
Mexico, and CAioua and BY me preparation and pub,
LEGATION OF extended memsir. illustrated with co'oed
engIavngs on the seapans OF the coast North Ameri-
1T has published several important original papers on
physiology comparative anatomy zoology, and different
branches Of descriptive natural history and has prepared
printed FOR distribution 70 Travellers series OF dlrec-
tons Tor collecting and preserving specimens
ha. advanced Terrestrial, nasns,sm BY furnishing 70,
force, various exploring expeditions and by publishing
has collected and published the statistics OF the libra
e' Of ns a.d snss Pas o.
bnod whole, all the scattered libraries OF the country.
"The Institution has also been instrumental in directing
atenon to American antiquities. and has awakened such
the subject will tend the collection and
ancen, inhabitants oil this continent. 1t has rendered
available for the purposes Of the elhnoogs and phan
by publishing a volume the language Of this tribe In
dans and has done good service to comparative pathology
by the distribution OF directions Tor collecting Indian vo
has established extended system ofsray aud sci
entc exchanges both aud domestic, and annually
sn,ms between the most distant societies and indvld
uals hundreds OF packages oil valuable works has pre-
class Libraries world. and rendered them
sibe lar possible TO all persons who are Interested
their study No restriction oil copyright has been placed
on their republication. and truths which they contain
daily finding their way to the general public through
lion OF rs publications and system of exchanges has
served only advance and diusc knowledge bat also
ence OF our county, TO promote kindly aud sympathetic
feeling between the New World and the Odalike CRATE
| fu TO the philosopher and the philanthfoput
"These the fruits OF what 10 called the system OF
operations OF the insuton and Us power 10 produce
of The which be appropriated each
succeeding has presented new and important fields
gard it have been fully reaz sd and after expert
OF years, there now be no doubt Of the true
policy In regard to IT,
The Secretary expresses some fear that the present
plan will be changed by future Board OF Regents. and
that large portion OF The income may be voted TO the
diffusion OF knowledge OF some popular branch OF prac
ica art.
VIVA, called the library plan. which was ad voca-
ted by Mr. Cboae, and was supposed to be favored by
Congress, has not been adopted But very small por-
ton OF the funds have been used in the purchase OF books
The Secretary says
soar expectations for the library limited by
immediate means OF purchasing books The history OF
weloc aed institution Of the kIad may reasonably
pcc 10y donation and beques in proportion to
central and perm sncnt the establishment. the like
is attract the liberal notice OF those who have valuable
.'The location OF the Smithsonian Institution at ashing-
ton permanent endowment its Independence of parl-
and ecarsn niocnces the high position In the cien
o world which has already achieved by is active ope.
rsons the results of the system Of exchanges Of which
enjoying but the first irus together viii, the
rious which have been adopted suggested Tor
ing other libraries aud advancing biboga phca objects
ton and they VIII before many years II, the
largest and important the county, very
valuable auxiliary 10 our national literary progress We
expect however, that will increase mostly by exchanges
and gifts, We may Justly hope that many vauab le private
collections OF books particular Department. OF learning
will be placed here, remain tho best thai
can be reared to commemorate the learning and
well as the literally OF their collectors"
1t is very true. the report suggests, that large Ii.
brary OF reference Ia likely to be formed here and thai
here il would be generally useful than il placed
any other city; and further. that there is city
attractive 10 Of science and letters than Washing
ton.
Questions Of the deepes, interest TO liberty and civil.
zaton here discussed by statesmen and Orators and
cred
The institution has received during the year many
costly donations of books from governments. instu
tions and individuals The largest and most importan
OF these is from James Orchard Halliwe esq, oil Brx
ton, England, the distinguished Archaeological
This gentleman has presented to the institution an ex
tremey curious interesting, and instructive collection
MS bills, accounts, inventories, legal and
other business papers extending from 1892 1884,
mostly Of folio size This collection may Justly .ad
be unique oil It's kind IL IS OF interest only anti
quarry and tho collector OF curious relics OF oiden times
but authentic record of prices than l6,
years, IL Is OF great value. Asa picture OF mode
and domestic habits aud expenses OF English families
former generations Il is most instructive record"
The funds OF the institution are well managed. Be
sides the principal OF the original bequest, the institution
now has about two hundred thousand dollars OF
lated interest
The Territory OF Minnesota ia abont four tmes thu
sire Of the State Of Understanding over an area o.
Zoe, 900 900 acres ~