Support for Powell's Colorado River Expedition

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Summary

United States Congress authorizes the Secretary of War to provide rations for 25 men on the expedition of the Colorado River, under the direction of John Wesley Powell. His first expedition, in 1869, is otherwise funded by his own salary and small grants from Illinois scientific societies.

Subject

  • Powell, John Wesley 1834-1902
  • United States. Secretary of War
  • United States. Army
  • United States Congress

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • Also see: Viola, Herman, and Carolyn Margolis, eds. Magnificent Voyagers. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985.
  • Oehser, Paul H. The Smithsonian Institution. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1970, p. 220.
  • Rhees, William Jones. The Smithsonian Institution: Documents Relative to Its Origin and History: 1835-1899, Vol. 1, 1835-1887. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1901, p. 679.
  • Rabbitt, Mary C. Minerals, Lands, and Geology for the Common Defence and General Welfare, Vol. 1, Before 1879. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979, p. 180.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

June 11, 1868

Topic

  • Scientific expeditions
  • Law
  • Geology
  • Finance
  • Interagency Relations
  • Expenditures, Public
  • Legislation

Place

  • Colorado
  • Illinois

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