House of Representatives, Rep. No. 181, Report from the Select Committee on the Message of the President, accompanying bill H.R. 187
Close
PrintJohn Quincy Adams from the Committee on the President's Message (informing Congress of the Smithson Bequest) reported that the committee believes that Congress alone is capable of accepting the bequest and fulfilling the duties of the trust, and not only are the competent to do so, they have an obligation to both accept the bequest and fulfil Smithson's requirements. The committee recommended that Congress's first step be to obtain possession of the fund by authorizing the President to send an agent to England for that purpose. The report includes copies of Andrew Jackson's letter informing Congress of the bequest, Smithson's will, and communication between US Secretary of State John Forsyth and England's Secretary of State A. Vail.
Smithsonian Legal Documents
See H.R. 187
United States Congressional Serial Set (Book)
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Great Britain
Report - Congressional
Number of pages: 8; Page Numbers: 1-8