1. in the capitol there is a large library, consisting of two parts; one part called the congressional library, the other, the law library. the latter is made a part of the former by an act of congress. both are subject to the same laws and rules, and both are supported by appropriations made by congress.

this institution, called as a whole, “the congressional library,” contains the works supposed to be useful to legislators, but is not confined to their use alone. its use has been extended to the judges of the supreme court; to all the heads of departments; to the attorney general; to all the members of the diplomatic corps, (foreign ministers); to the secretary of the senate; to the clerk of the house of representatives, to the chaplains of congress, to all ex-presidents, and to the solicitor of the treasury.

2. it has a librarian, appointed by the president and senate, who is allowed to appoint two assistants. no book or map is allowed to be taken out of the library by any person, except the president, vice-president, members of the senate and of the house of representatives.

people in general, who are interested to do so, may obtain information from the books and records when properly authorized, under such restrictions as the circumstances require.

3. here are kept all the laws which have ever been enacted by congress, together with a record of all its proceedings, the laws of all the different states, with many of those of foreign countries; also a large collection of books on promiscuous subjects, useful to members of congress and to those who have to administer the government. no where else can so complete a history of the acts and proceedings of the government be found, as in the congressional library at washington.

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this institution dates back to the year 1800, when an act was passed making the first appropriation of $5,000 for its establishment. the books purchased with this $5,000, with those belonging to both houses, were placed together, and thus this library was commenced.