Report from the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress

by Joint Committee on the Library

In Senate of the United States
October 7, 1814

M^r. Goldsborough, from the joint committee, on the Library of Congress,

Reported

That they have received through M^r. Samuel H. Smith, an offer from M^r. Jefferson, late President of the United States, of the whole of his library for Congress in such a mode, and upon such terms, as they consider highly advantageous to the nation, and worthy the distinguished gentleman who tenders it. But the means placed at the disposal of the committee being very limited and totally inadequate to the purchase of such a Library as that now offered, the committee must have recourse to Congress either to extend their powers, or to adopt such other plan as they may think most proper.

Should it be the sense of Congress to confide this matter to the committee, they respectfully submit the following resolution:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the joint library committee of the two Houses of Congress be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to contract on their part for the purchase of the library of M^r. Jefferson, late President of the United States, for the use of both Houses of Congress.