attracted the notice and won the approval of naturalists throughout the world.

Resolved, That the Regents offer to the family of Prof. Bailey their condolence on the loss which they have sustained.

Mr. Douglas offered the following resolutions, which were adopted: Resolved, That the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in common with the whole country, have heard with deep regret of the death of one of their esteemed collaborators, Dr. E. K. KANE, to whom was committed by this Institution a set of philosophical instruments for the purpose of research in the polar regions, which he used, and carefully returned at the hazard of his life, with a series of observations of great value to science.

Resolved, That the Regents offer to the family of Dr. Kane their condolence on the loss which they have sustained.

Prof. Bache offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution have heard with regret of the decease of their valued correspondent, WILLIAM C. REDFIELD, of New York, whose labors in meteorology have rendered his name familiar to men of science in every part of the civilized world, and offer to his family their condolence on the loss which they have sustained.

A communication from Dr. Robert Hare was read, relative to the practical construction of minute weights and measures.

On motion of Dr. Magruder, the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That a copy of the communication of Dr. Hare be transmitted to the Secretary of the Treasury, with the recommendation of the Board of Regents that the instrument offered by Dr. Hare be received by the government, and placed in the Office of Weights and Measures.

Resolved, That the communication of Dr. Hare be inserted in the appendix to the report of the Regents to Congress.

A communication from J. A. Johnson, esq., of Maryland, relative to an "International Geographic and Scientific Commission" read and referred to the Executive Committee and the Secretary.

The Secretary made a communication to the Board, relative to an article which had been published by Prof. S. F. B. Morse, containing charges against his moral character and his scientific reputation.

The Chancellor made a few remarks, confirming Prof. Henry's statement as to the advice he had given him respecting this attack. On motion of Mr. Mason, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That the communication of the Secretary and accompany

ing documents be referred to a committee, to examine and report upon it at the next session of the Board of Regents.

Whereupon the Chancellor appointed Messrs. Mason, Pearce, Felton,

and Douglas as the committee.

The Board then adjourned sine die.

WASHINGTON, January 20, 1858.

In accordance with a resolution of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, fixing the time of the beginning of their annual meeting on the third Wednesday of January of each year, the Board met this day in the Regents' room.

No quorum being present, the Board adjourned to meet on Thursday, January 28, 1858.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1858.

A meeting of the Board of Regents was held this day at 10 a. m., in the Smithsonian Institution.

Present: Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Vice President of the United States, Hon. J. M. Mason, Hon. S. A. Douglas, Hon. George E. Badger, Prof. A. D. Bache, Prof. C. C. Felton, Mr. Seaton, Treasurer, and the Secretary.

In the absence of the Chancellor the Vice President was called to the chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The Secretary stated that, since the last meeting of the Board, the Speaker of the House of Representatives had appointed Hon. William H. English, of Indiana, Hon. Benjamin Stanton, of Ohio, and Hon. L. J. Gartrell, of Georgia, as Regents for the term of their service as members of the House.

The Treasurer presented a statement of the receipts and expenditures during the year 1857, and also a general statement of the funds; which were referred to the Executive Committee.

The following communication was presented:

WASHINGTON, January 23, 1858. GENTLEMEN: The undersigned offers for sale, and respectfully suggests to your honorable Board the propriety of purchasing, the gallery of Indian portraits now, and for some years past, in the Smithsonian Institution.

He proposes to sell the whole collection described in the catalogue published by the Institution, one hundred and fifty-two in number, for the sum of twelve thousand dollars-one-third of the same cash and the remainder at two equal annual instalments; or, if it should be preferred, one-fourth down and the residue in three equal annual instalments.

The undersigned commenced his labors in this work in 1842, and devoted the best years of his life in travelling through the region of our country peopled principally by the red man-through the wilds of Oregon and what is now Washington Territory. All of the portraits are accurate likenesses of prominent chiefs and braves, and readily recognized by men who have had intercourse with the various tribes of Indians.

Since 1852 he has cherished the hope (but has not been able to realize it) that Congress would authorize the purchase of this collection. He has, up to this time, made sacrifices-such as one believing in the merit of his own work, and whose zeal in persevering through arduous and unremitting toil to accomplish it, alone would make-to keep this collection together. He will not affect the modesty of refraining from expressing his belief that no other gallery (aside from what artistic merit the public may award it) possesses the interest, in a national point of view, that this does. Some of the chiefs represented are no longer living; and, to the little we know of their history it will be some satisfaction to add the perpetuation of their features. These were taken from life and in the character they themselves preferred to be handed down to the gaze of future generations.

The price at which he offers this collection will not more than cover the outlay in cost of material, transportation, insurance, travelling expenses, &c., and will not afford him any compensation for his time and labor. Taking, as he humbly conceives, the intrinsic value of these Indian portraits into consideration, he will receive no pecuniary profit by their disposal on the terms named.

His ardent desire that they should be preserved, as a national work, in some place at the capital of our country; his failure heretofore to induce Congress to agree to their purchase, and the more pressing reasons of liabilities now maturing, impel him to make this proposition. Your honorable Board are again requested to consider it and communicate your answer at as early a day as is convenient. If the purchase of the portraits is not authorized by you, he will be com

pelled to expose them at public auction in time to have the proceeds available by the 1st of May next.

The undersigned will take this occasion to tender his acknowledgments to the Board and Professor Henry for the use of the hall in the Institution where the gallery now is, and for other courtesies, which he will always appreciate.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. STANLEY. The Hon. BOARD OF REGENTS of the Smithsonian Institution.

On motion, this communication was referred to a special committee, and Messrs. Felton, Douglas, and Badger were appointed.

The Secretary laid before the Board a present from Miss Contaxaki, of Greece, consisting of a volume of drawings, &c., illustrating the celebrated works of art in her own land, together with the following letters:

WASHINGTON, November 23, 1857.

SIR: During my last trip to the east I was charged by Miss Elizabeth B. Contaxaki, a native of the isle of Crete, with an "ornamental album," which she desired me to present, through you, to the Smithsonian Institution. In forming the work, this lady designed it as a contribution to the Universal Exhibition at Paris, in 1855, worthy of the classic renown of the ancient city of Athens. So ardent is her admiration of the United States and its institutions that she wishes it to be permanently placed in this country, and having a high appreciation of you as an American statesman, and your reputation as a classical scholar, she desired that I would request you to offer it in her name to the Smithsonian Institution.

The "Classical Bouquet," as it is entitled, consists of illustrations of the principal monuments and places in the kingdom of Greece, to which are added a few from her native isle of Crete, not yet emancipated from the Moslem yoke. These illustrations are explained by quotations from the ancient Greek authors in the original language, beautifully illuminated; whilst many of the pages are adorned with flowers culled from the spots which the drawings represent.

Miss Contaxaki is the sole originator and authoress of it, assisted in its execution by native artists of Greece. The beauty of the finish, and the faithfulness and accuracy of the quotations from Hesiod, Homer, Xenophon, Plato, and others, show that the present sons and

daughters of the renowned ancient city of Minerva are not insensible of the glory that was once attached to her name, nor incapable of appreciating those monuments of art, science, and literature which still survive.

Feeling assured that, as an eminent classical scholar, you will fully appreciate the worth of the Classical Bouquet, I beg to present it, through you, to the Smithsonian Institution, in her name.

With sentiments of the highest respect, I remain your obedient servant,

Hon. LEWIS CASS,

Secretary of State.

CHAS. S. SPENCE.

WASHINGTON CITY, November 25, 1857. SIR: I send you herewith a splendid album, together with a letter from Mr. Spence, explanatory of the circumstances of its execution and transmission to this country. I perform the duty of presenting it to the Smithsonian Institution with great pleasure, for it is a finished specimen of taste and art, worthy of a prominent place in your interesting collection. Mr. Spence has so well described it that any further reference to it on my part is unnecessary.

I am, dear sir, respectfully yours,

Prof. HENRY,

Smithsonian Institution, Washington City.

LEWIS CASS.

On motion, the work was referred to Professor Felton, to report a resolution expressive of the high appreciation of the gift on the part of the Board, and a letter of acknowledgment to Miss Contaxaki.

A letter was read from Sir George Simpson, expressing the desire and intention of the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company to cooperate with the Smithsonian Institution in procuring specimens of natural history, and in the prosecution of scientific researches.

The Board then adjourned to meet on Saturday, 30th instant, at 11 o'clock, a. m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1858.

The Board of Regents met this day in the hall of the Institution at 11 o'clock a. m.

Present: Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Vice President of the United States, Hon. J. A. Pearce, Hon. J. M. Mason, Hon. S. A. Douglas, Hon. W. H. English, Professor A. D. Bache, Professor C. C. Felton, Mr. Seaton, Treasurer, and the Secretary.