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XXXVIII   JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 

not be present at Washington as it would give me very great satisfaction to honor the memory of our late distinguished Secretary for the singular fidelity, forecast, and devotion with which he has discharged the manifold duties of this office, and the eminent success which has crowned his enterprising labors. Under his administration the Smithsonian Institution has enlarged its sphere of usefulness and activity and has established itself most firmly in the confidence and esteem of the American people. The direct services which the late Secretary rendered to the wealth and welfare of the American people through his connection with the Fish Commission and the honor which he gained for his country abroad are too well known to need any comment, while his personal simplicity and integrity are above all praise. 
Very respectfully,
NOAH PORTER

S. P. LANGLEY, Esq.,
Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 

The Chancellor, Chief Justice Waite, then made the following remarks:

GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS: It is my sad duty to announce to you the death of Spencer Fullerton Baird, LL.D., the Secretary of the Institution, at Wood's Holl, Mass., on the 19th day of August last. Professor Baird was appointed by the lamented Professor Henry, while Secretary of the Institution, on the 5th of July, 1850, under the authority of this Board, to the office of Assistant Secretary "in the department of natural history, to take charge of the Museum, and to render such other assistance as the Secretary may require." He entered at once on the performance of his duties, and until the death of Professor Henry, nearly 28 years afterwards, filled his place with great ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his distinguished chief and of the Regents.

Professor Henry died on the 13th of May, 1878, and on the 17th of the same month Professor Baird was unanimously chosen his successor as Secretary of the Institution From that day until he died he was faithful to every duty of his high office, and devoted himself untiringly to giving effect to the will of our munificent founder by the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men."

As his death occurred when some of you were absent in Europe, and others away in different parts of this country, it was found impracticable to get an extraordinary meeting of the Board to take action upon the deplorable event at that time. We have now met for that purpose and I invite your special attention to the subject.

Senator Justin S. Morrill moved that Prof. S. P. Langley be appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of Secretary created by the death of Professor Baird.

It having been represented that the Executive Committee had prepared a minute of proceedings to be submitted to the Board, and that paper having been called for, it was read by the chairman, Dr. J. C. Welling: