the commission and authorization to commence the work by the 1st of October or November, I could finish the model by the spring and immediately arrange for its casting in bronze during the summer so as to have it ready to send to Washington by the 1st of October following (1881). "I suppose that the Board of Regents is equally interested with myself in desiring the statue to be finished as soon as possible, and if they will definitely authorize me to begin the model by the 1st of November, I can promise, unless some unforseen accident occurs, to finish it in bronze by the 1st of January, 1882; otherwise I fear we shall have to put it forward to January, 1883. "If the Board of Regents have faith in my ability and will trust me to follow out my own ideas in this statue, I will pledge myself to do my best to satisfy myself and them, and to spare no pains to give them a statue worthy of the subject, worthy of the place, and satisfactory to the family, friends, and admirers of Professor Henry. "You must not expect too much. The male costume of the present day is crude, graceless, and thoroughly unsculptural. But I will do what I can to hide its awkwardness and ugliness without falsifying truth and fact, and endeavor to render the statue serious and dignified and natural. I suppose that Professor Henry had no academic costume, and that there is no peculiar professional dress in which he could be represented. If there be, and the Board of Regents is willing that I should clothe the statue in such a dress, I should most gladly do it. Then I should be able to drape him in some way at once dignified and true to fact. The academic costume could be treated so as to make an imposing statue. In such case, would you have the kindness to forward to me the dress, that I may use it to model from? The silk academic robes would be admirable and advisable, but I scarcely dare to hope that he wore one, or that I may use it. What did he wear? If this academic dress is out of the question, what may I represent him in? Did he wear a cloak? "The sketch I have made represents him as in a buttoned frock-coat, over which is a loose open sack; it is in the attitude of meditation; his head bent slightly forwards, looking down, one hand resting on a desk or stand at his side, by which to break the horrible uniformity of the two legs of pantaloons, and give breadth and dignity to the base, and one hand across the breast midway, at the place of the upper button of the buttoned coat; on the stand are books on which his left hand is placed. On the whole, those who have seen it, think it simple, dignified, and thoughtful. If it is to be made in coat and trousers, I doubt if I could do better, but I shall think it over and make other sketches. "Will you be kind enough to send me any memoir that may exist of Professor Henry, so that I may have a more thorough knowledge of his character and services and labors than I now have. I beg you not to forget this, as it will greatly assist me in determining the exact character to be given to the statue. "I have written you a very long letter in the hope of clearing the way of all obstacles, and of letting you understand exactly what my views and wishes are. "Yours, faithfully, "W. W. STORY." During the recess of Congress it was found impracticable to call a meeting of the Regents, but their views were asked individually by the Secretary as to the power of the Executive Committee to make a formal contract with the artist and enable him to go on with the work. The opinion of the majority was that this power could be exercised by the Executive Committee. A meeting was therefore called of this Committee on the 13th of November, 1880, when the subject was fully considered and the following action taken: "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution inform Mr. Story that the Executive Committee authorize him to proceed in the execution of the bronze statue ordered by Congress June 1, 1880, according to his own plan and designs, but that this Committee is not empowered to make a formal contract for this purpose, although warranted in such action by the individual expressions of Regents as contained in letters received by the Secretary. "Resolved, That a special meeting of the Regents be called on the 8th of December, 1880, to consider the subject, and if the action of the Executive Committee is not confirmed, a cable message be immediately sent to Mr. Story, and, if approved, a contract in due form be made out and transmitted to him." This action of the Committee was communicated to Mr. Story by the Secretary on the 13th of November. Another subject demanding the consideration of the Board has been presented to the Executive Committee. A committee of citizens of Washington having presented a request for the use of the new National Museum building for a reception to the President of the United States elect, on the 4th of March next, after a full consideration of the subject, in view of the fact that the building is unfinished and not yet occupied as a Museum, and that such a contingency would not again occur and would not therefore furnish a precedent; in view also of the fact that the expense of erecting a suitable building would be very great and unnecessary, and, moreover, that the President elect is and has been for many years a member of the Board of Regents, whose aid and influence contributed materially to the erection of the new Museum, the Committee adopted the following: "Whereas an application has been received from a committee of citizens for the use of the unfinished building of the National Museum, for the purpose of a public reception to the President elect, Hon. James A. Garfield, on the evening of the 4th of March next; therefore, "Resolved, That the Executive Committee submit this application to the Board of Regents at its next meeting, with its approval and with the recommendation that the request be granted." The Committee furthermore make the following statement: The new National Museum building has been substantially completed and made ready for occupancy within the appropriations by Congress. A detailed account of the history of operations of its construction will be presented at the annual meeting of the Board in January next. The Building Commission has refrained from completing the floors of the rotunda and large halls or naves according to the original plans, which provided only for concrete and cement, on account of the remonstrances of prominent members of Congress, who urged that such floors were unsuitable to, and unworthy of, so fine a building, and their assurances that appropriations would doubtless be made at the approaching session of Congress for marble or tile floors for these halls. The Committee report that provision has been made so that the floors of the rotunda and four naves leading to the main entrance of the building may be laid in marble or tile instead of cement, and that if an appropriation of $25,000 be made immediately, the building will be ready for the reception of the President on the 4th of March next, fully adapted and provided with heat, light, and all the facilities required for the occasion. In conclusion, the Committee respectfully submit the following resolutions to the Board for adoption : "Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute execute a contract with Mr. W. W. Story, of Rome, for the statue in bronze of the late Prof. Joseph Henry, authorized by the act of Congress of June 1, 1880, with the provision for payment of the sum of $3,750 to Mr. Story on completion of his design for the statue; the sum of $3,750 on completion of the model in clay; the sum of $3,750 on completion of the statue in bronze; and the sum of $3,750 on delivery and erection of the statue with its pedestal in the city of Washington, on the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, and furthermore that Mr. Story shall cause the said statue to be insured for the amount of the advance payments to him, against perils by land or by sea, which insurance shall, in case of loss, be paid to the Smithsonian Institution for the benefit of the United States. "Resolved, That for the purpose of substituting a marble or tile flooring, instead of concrete, as originally designed, for the large halls in the National Museum, an appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars be requested of Congress, to be expended according to the plans and under the direction of the building commission of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, under whose supervision the Museum has been erected. "Resolved, That the use of the new National Museum building be granted for the inaugural reception of the President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1881, and that the Secretary be authorized to make all necessary arrangements for this purpose." Respectfully submitted. WASHINGTON, 8th December, 1880. PETER PARKER, REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FOR THE YEAR 1880. The Executive Committee of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution respectfully submit the following report in relation to the funds of the Institution, the appropriations by Congress for the National Museum and other purposes, the receipts and expenditures for both the Institution and the Museum for 1880, and the estimates for the year 1881. Condition of the funds January 1, 1881. The amount originally received as the bequest The residuary legacy of Smithson, received Amount added to the fund from the bequest of James Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, 1874. Amount added to the fund from the bequest of Dr. Simeon Habel, 1880 ... $515, 169 00 26, 210 63 108, 620 37 $650,000 00 1,000 00 500 00 Total permanent Smithson fund in the Treasury of the United States bearing interest at 6 per cent., payable semi-annually In addition to the above the Institution has invested in Virginia bonds and certificates $88,125.20, valued January 1, 1881, at ... Also the cash balance in the United States Treasurer's hands January 1, 1881 ...... Total Smithson funds January 1, 1881 158 1,500 00 651, 500 00 47,000 00 20,934 52 $719, 434 52 |