the different colleges in the universities of Europe. I therefore would recommend, that the Smithsonian Institution should be annexed to, and made a part of the na. tional establishment; dependent on, and subordinate to it, preserving to the national body its superiority and supremacy over all its dependencies, and the Smithsonian among others. By this arrangement, the object of the testator will be fully accomplished. His will requires only an institution for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men," and that it should bear his name. By the plan which I take the liberty to suggest, the terms of the legacy will be fully complied with. I have seen with great pleasure the bill brought into the Senate by the Hon. Mr. Preston. It fully coincides with the views that I have expressed. It may perhaps receive some modifications in the details, but, keeping the main design in view, they can easily suggest themselves. The object, in my opinion, is, to preserve the superiority of the National Institution over the Smithsonian, and that of the Go. vernment over both. Mr. Preston's plan appears to me well calculated to accomplish these purposes. I would beg leave to suggest, whether it would not be advisable to make some small alteration in the name of the National Institution, so that it should not bear exactly the same name with the Smithsonian, but one expressive of some degree of superiority. I would recommend, for instance, that of Institute, which appears to me more dignified than that of Institution, which is equally applicable to a school or college as to a great national establishment for the promotion of science. If any other, or a better name can be suggested, it will answer the same purpose. My idea would be to call the national establishment the "National Institute for the Promotion of Science," and the subordinate one the "Smithsonian Institution," without more. But this is, after all, but matters of secondary consideration. The more I consider Mr. Preston's bill, the more I find it difficult to amend it. Therefore I shall not undertake it. If the passage of that bill can be obtained, the cause of science shall have gained an immense advantage, and due honor shall have been paid to the memory of the benevolent testator. I have already observed, that the Smithsonian fund-half a million of dollarswas inadequate to the objects contemplated by either of the two institutions that I propose to be joined. When I consider that two millions of dollars were bequeathed by Mr. Girard to the city of Philadelphia, with a larger fund to be recur. red to in case of need, merely for the erection and endowment of a college, and that this immense legacy has produced nothing in the course of ten years but the bare walls of an unfinished palace, I must acknowledge that I tremble at the possible consequences of the go-ahead system, which, notwithstanding the severe lessons that we have received, still prevails too much among us. Rome, as the proverb says, was not built in a day. We have centuries before us, and the present generation must not expect to enjoy all what is promised to the country by the foundation of the National Institution, with the addition of the Smithsonian legacy. We must work for posterity. I rejoice that the stocks in which the capital of that legacy has been invested by Congress, are not susceptible of a ready sale. I hope that for a long time, the interest alone, and if possible only a part of it, will be employed for scientific purposes; that in the erection of buildings, the embellishment of the city will not be attended to, but their usefulness alone contemplated; and that the strictest economy will prevail in the application of the means. De pend upon it, that if time is suffered to exercise its never-failing influence on our noble Institution, it will rise, in perhaps less than half a century, to an equality with the most admired institutions of the same kind in Europe; but if economy is lost sight of, it will experience the fate of other great undertakings which have failed from want of a due regard to this principle. I hope I shall be pardoned this involuntary effusion, for which I am well convinced, nothing but the perhaps excessive zeal which I feel for the permanency of our great Institution can afford an Old age, perhaps, may also afford an apology. excuse. I am, respectfully, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant, CIRCULAR. THE DEPARTMENT OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES of the National Institution for the Promotion of Science, established at the seat of the General Government, respectfully invites public attention to its objects. These are "to discover, procure, and preserve, whatever may relate to the Civil, Literary, and Ecclesiasti cal History of America in general, and of the United States in particular." In conceiving and attempting to execute so comprehensive a plan, the Institution anticipates the approval of the friends of literature and science, and the coöperation of all who feel particular interest in subjects connected with American History. The topics embraced by the plan are so various, that almost every individual of liberal studies is competent to promote, in some manner or degree, its successful operation. A full enumeration of the topics, in relation to which contributions are desired, would lead to details of inconvenient length, and is made unnecessary by the extensive range of the general plan. The most important may be included under the following heads: 1. Facts relating to the discovery and settlement of America, to the Colonial and Revolutionary history of the North American Colonies, and Biographical notices of persons connected with such discovery, settlement, or history. 2. Biographical notices of persons distinguished in the Aboriginal history of America, or distinguished in the history of the United States, as Ministers of the Gospel, Politicians, Lawyers, Physicians, Mechanics, &c. 3. Facts illustrating the History, Manners, Customs, Language, and Traditions of the Indian tribes, and manners of the early Settlers. 4. Indian names of Towns, Villages, Rivers, Islands, Bays, and other remark. able places and objects. 5. Statistics of Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, and Population. 6. Topographical sketches of Cities, Towns, Villages, and their vicinities, with Statistical details concerning them. 7. Roads, Canals, Bridges, &c. 8. Religious, Benevolent, Scientific, and Literary Institutions and Associations. 9. Colleges, Schools, and all Institutions for promoting Education. 10. Laws, Journals, copies of Records, Treaties, Documents, and other Papers relating to the several States of the Union, and to the Territories. 11. Proceedings of Political and Ecclesiastical Assemblies. Original communications on any of the foregoing subjects, or on other subjects coming within the plan of the Department, are solicited. Donations of Manuscripts, Books, Pamphlets, Almanacs, Newspapers, Maps, Charts, Paintings, Engravings, &c., &c., illustrative of American History and Antiquities, will be thankfully received, and deposited, with the name of the donor, in the Library of the National Institution. CONTENTS OF COMMUNICATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE FIRST AND SECOND BUL- FOR THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE. Peter S. Du Ponceau, President of the American Philosophical Society, Phila- delphia; November, 1840: Respecting the Institution in general, its organi- zation, plan of the bulletin, &c......... Isaac Weld, Honorary Secretary of the Royal Dublin Society; Dublin, Octo- ber 30, 1840: Account of the establishment of the R. D. Society............ 14 M. F. Maury, Lieutenant U. S. N.; Fredericksburg, Va., December 5, 1840: Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, Secretary of War and First Director of the Institution: 1841.......... George W. Hughes, Captain of Topographical Engineers, U. S. A.; London, 17 19 333 46 W. D. Porter, Lieutenant U. S. N.; January 17, 1840: Showing how the Army and Navy may be rendered beneficial to the National Institution...... 48 Captain G. W. Hughes; Brussels, January, 1841: Geological and mining observations made during a tour in England and Wales.......................... Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, President of National Institution: Address on his elec- Hon. John Bell, Secretary of War: On the deposit of the portraits of distin |