Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
O. 0 nj m unitatf6.
The Smithsonian institution.

MeSsrs. EDIToRs: Ii was with absolute as
constituent that | read in your paper of Satnr-
day, the letter of Jamblicus in reply to my
inquiry respecting the authority under which
the regents of the Smithsonian Institution have
issued their contributions" 1t has tended
but little to dissipate this feeling that it is to
be supposed that "Jamblicus" has been prcked
on TO his task by some who have very INSULT
ciently prepared and furnished him for his un-
dertaking. His high tone argues the one,
and the utter inadequacy of his reply the other
part of this supposition.
feel little disposition to submit to the re-
proof and rebuke Of partisan of whom it is
plain that either his commission is defective or
his provision Of ammunition deplorably def
cient.
If instead of being only zone among men,
l had been one Of the facile and fayorite few
who take everything on the authority of cor
ganization committees" cable and indefati
gable secretaries, and the Crowned heads of
Europe" might have saved myself from the
lofty disdain with which your correspondent
treats me as an offcious and meddlesome in
truder in matters which ''in no way concerned
him. But, being one among men, am one
of those for whose benefit Smithson made his
bequest, and therefore the faithful application
of the money does concern me. Besides, the
Smithsonian Institution is public establish
ment, under the control of Congress; and, as a
citizen, have right to interest myself in its
affairs. And, further, in this country, no man,
however high his position-no body of men,
however imposing their name -isabove the LAW
1t was to the law / first appealed. Ihave been
accused OF inaccuracy. | venture again. una
Dashed, into the presence of organization COM
mittees, able and indefatigable secretaries, and
even the crowned heads of Europe, to answer
to the charge, and to reply to the "firstly, sec.
ondly, thirdly, and to conclude" of Jambli-
Gus, who really seems disposed to make some
ostentation of his position.
/ asked the question, where, in the act Of
Congress, the regents found authority to expend
the money Of the institution in publishing the
splendid volumes, of which we hear so much
and see so little? Jamblicus replies by first
referring me to the act of Congress. This is,
| b be sure, definite and precise. But qchere in
The act? What section? What clause Point
it out; quote the language.
Jamblicus says, secondly, that the committee
on organization quote " a clause of plenary
powers to the board to make "such disposal
Of the funds as they shall deem best suited for
the promotion OF the purpose OF the testator."
He first refers us to the act, and then refers us
to the reference of the committee to the act
The latter reference proves no more than the
former, except his own unfairness. Why did
he not quote the whole sentence from the re-
port? It's as follows:
But, after eRumerating these items, the
trainers ofthe charter added clause of plenary
powers, authorizing the board as to all finds
not required for the a6ooe special purposes, to
make of them such disposal as they shall deem
best suited for the promotion of the purpose
Of the testator." ..
/ have italicized clause omitted by Jambl-
Gus for reasons best known to himself or his
prompter
The committee, in the above sentence, quote
from the 9th section of the act of Congress. ]
will quote the section in full. There is no
other section or clause of the act which gives
to the board, under any contingencies, right
to expend money except for the specific pur-
poses which l first enumerated, namely a
building, library, museum, a gallery of art,
lectures, chemical investigations, expenses of
| regents and salaries of officers; and this Sec
ton, it will be seen, gives no right to expend
| money for other purposes, when it is required
for the above purposes. That it is all required
for them cannot be doubted.
I" Sec g. And be IL further enacted That of any
other moneys which have accrued, or shall here
after accrue, as interest upon the said Smthso-
man fund, not herein appropriated, or not re-
quired for the purposes herein provided, the said
managers are hereby authorized 10 make such
disposal as they shall deem best suited for the
promotion Of the purpose Of the testator, any
thing herein contained to the contrary notwh-.
| standing
Now, Messrs. Editors, have read and re read
the act Of Congress, and, humble citizen as ]
am, defy Jamblicus, organization committees,
or any body else, to show a clause which, di-
rectly or by implication, authorizes the board
of regents to spend one cent of the fund or its
income for anything but building, library
a museum, gallery of art, lectures, and chemi-
cal Investigations, the expenses Of the regents
and the salaries Of officers, so long as it is re-
quired for these specified purposes; and, with
this challenge, commend Jamblicus and all
others concerned to careful study Of the act