Present: Roger B. Taney, Walter Lenox, Jefferson Davis, James M. Mason, James A. Pearce, and Graham N. Fitch. Also Present: Joseph Henry. The members not present were William F. Colcock, Henry W. Hilliard, Alexander Dallas Bache, Joseph G. Totten, Rufus Choate, Gideon Hawley, Richard Rush, and William C. Preston.
The proceedings of the last meeting were read. The reading of the Secretary's report was continued, including "the report of Professor Baird on the Museum." The board then resolved that their thanks be presented to Mr. Alexander Culbertson for the "liberal aid rendered by him in procuring specimens of natural history for the institution," to Messrs. Edward T. Denig, Ferdinand Culbertson, and "other gentlemen of the American Fur Company" referred to in Professor Baird's report for "similar services." The concluding part of the Secretary's report was read, which detailed of the "lectures which had been delivered, and other miscellaneous operations." The Secretary then "gave an account" of experiments made with Smithsonian "apparatus" by Mr. Espy during the previous year, and stated that the connection between this man and the Institution began when the Secretary of the Navy directed him to "co-operate in his labors" with the Smithsonian.
Mr. Lenox presented a communication from Mr. Seaton recommending that a bell be placed in one of the towers of the Smithsonian buildings and stating that "a very valuable town clock could probably be obtained from the Treasury Department"; the board resolved that Mr. Lenox be appointed a committee to look into and report on this proposition. The board then adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary.
Contained within:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 1, Board of Regents Vol. 1 (Bound volume)
