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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION  806
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is accepted, in other words, he will deliver his gift free and clear on the day it is accepted.

Now you will remember we calculated that if my gift is accepted by the nation and in possession of the nation, that it will probably cost the Trustees about seventeen thousand ($17,000) a year for about four years for the Trustees to assume and pay above described expenses.

Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) John Gellatly.

At a meeting of the Permanent Committee held April 3, 1929, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED: That the Permanent Committee has listened with sympathetic attention to Mr. Gari Melcher's statement in regard to the offer of Mr. John Gellatly to present a large collection of art objects to the National Gallery of Art. Believing this proposal to be of great importance to the Smithsonian Institution, the Permanent Committee requests that all pertinent data relating to this proposed gift be assembled for presentation before a meeting of the Board of Regents in order that there may be full appreciation of the advantages to the Smithsonian Institution of the possession of this collection and clear understanding of the conditions governing the offer. In order that a careful study may be made of all matters comprehended in the offer, the Secretary is requested to communicate to the members of the Committee copies of the papers relating thereto deposited this day with the Smithsonian Institution, by Mr. Melchers.

At a meeting of the National Gallery of Art Commission, held April 13, 1929, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLVED: That the National Gallery of Art Commission recommends that the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution favorably consider Mr. John Gellatly's offer of his art collection to the Nation, for exhibition in the National Gallery of Art, subject to the conditions set forth in this offer.

After a full discussion Senator Robinson offered the following resolutions, which were adopted:

RESOLVED: That on the basis of the recommendations of the National Gallery of Art Commission expressed through the resolution adopted April 13, 1929, the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution have examined the offer of Mr. John Gellatly relating to the proposed gift of his art collection as expressed in letters to Mr. Gari Melchers, Chairman of the National Gallery of Art Commission, under dates of March 27 and March 30, 1929, and the Board approves in principle the acceptance of this offer. The Secretary is hereby requested to convey to Mr. Gellatly the sense of appreciation with which the Board learns of this generous offer.

RESOLVED: That the Board hereby refers the furtherance of the matter to the Permanent Committee with full power to act.

REPORT OF THE LEGAL COMMITTEE ON THE FREER WILL AND GIFT.

Senator Robinson, on behalf of the Committee, stated that the Committee had conferred and reached agreement as to the questions raised by the Secretary's memorandum of May 11, 1927; that a very full and valuable report had been prepared thereon by Mr. Hughes and approved by Messrs. Moore and Robinson, the other members of the Committee. He submitted the report, suggesting that as it is extensive, copies thereof be supplied to the Regents for their perusal at leisure.

The report follows:
[[initialed]] CGA [[/initialed]]

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