In Smithson's will, he stated that should his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, die without heirs, the Smithson estate would go to the government of the United States for creating an "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men".
Smithson's will stated that if his nephew died without any children, then his estate should go the United States government in order to create an "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men."