object near
his heart, an astronomical observatory, was resisted by party spirit,
his zeal and perseverance effectually prevented the bequest from being
diverted to local and temporary objects, and his general views relative
to Mr. Smithson's design ultimately prevailed.

In January, 1836, Mr. Adams, as chairman of the committee, made a
report, declaring that Congress was competent to accept the bequest, and
that its acceptance was enjoined by considerations of the most imperious
obligations, and suggesting some interesting reflections on the subject.
The testator, he said, was a descendant in blood from the Percys and the
Seymours,--two of the most illustrious names of the British
islands;--the brother of the Duke of Northumberland, who, by the name of
Percy, was known at the sanguinary opening scenes of our Revolutionary
War, and fought as a British officer at Lexington and Bunker Hill, and
was the bearer of the despatches, from the commander of the British
forces to his government, announcing the event of that memorable day.
"The suggestions which present themselves to the mind," Mr. Adams adds,
"by the association of these historical recollections with the condition
of the testator, derive additional interest from the nature of the
bequest, the devotion of a large estate to an institution 'for the
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.'" The noble design of Mr.
Smithson Mr. Adams thus proceeds to illustrate:

"Of all the foundations of establishments for pious or charitable
uses, which ever signalized the spirit of the age, or the
comprehensive beneficence of the founder, none can be named more
deserving of the approbation of mankind than this. Should it be
faithfully carried into effect, with an earnestness and sagacity of
application, and a steady perseverance of pursuit, proportioned to
the means furnished by the will of the founder, and to the greatness
and simplicity of his design, as by himself declared, 'the increase
and diffusion of knowledge among men,' it is no extravagance of
anticipation to declare that his name will be hereafter enrolled
among the eminent benefactors of mankind.

"The attainment of knowledge is the high and exclusive attribute of
man, among the numberless myriads of animated beings, inhabitants of
the terrestrial globe. On him alone is bestowed, by the bounty of
the Creator of the universe, the power and the capacity