Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862) to the Senate of the United States
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00198 Author/Creator: Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 06 December 1838 Pagination: 1 p. ; 33 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Instructions for complying with the act of 1 July 1836 concerning a bequest made by James Smithson to the United States government. Asks Congress to attend to properly fulfilling the object of the bequest. Informs that last July the Secretary of State was directed to obtain information from persons in the science and public education fields for their opinions on how to best use the funds. Includes copies of the circular letter with the results of these directions for Congress to review (not present). The bequest was eventually used to establish the Smithsonian Institute in 1846.
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