The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-08 00:00:00

FOREIGN EXHIBITORS :IN FRENCH
EXHIBITIONS..

By reference to official docurnelits 'nddreseed b
the French Minister of Commerce Of ,krprlvinciai
rities of his country previous to titif ishfbition of
will be seen that the policy ofindzeildiff foreign 0101111.4
to compete with native inhibitors was fairly canvassed•;
was negatived only by the jealous prejudices of a few native
.manufactatrers. On the 10th of February, 1849, the Mi-
nister of Commerce despatched copies of the following eir-
solar to this members of the departmental chambers of
commerce :

__.....sisems—At the time when my department of the
government is occupied in devising means for giving the
national exhibition of 1849 some great feature of public
utility, I think the country generally may take a particu-
br interest in learning the degrees of perfection to which
tine foreign products which compete with ours, have
ar-
"ln the direct comparison which every manufacturer would
be enabled to make between his products and those of other
countries, there would he great advantages, and a profitable
spirit of emulation would be aroused. This idea had struck
me before the department of agriculture and commerce had
been confided to me ; and I have been fortified in it by the
concurrence of many distinguished men. However, I do
not pretend to deny that there are many difficulties which
would stand in the way of admitting products
lately. Our space would not be sufficient for such a liberal
ktvitation, inasmuch as our exhibition building has been
designed to hold only native produce ; but this objection
would not bold good if only those foreign products were
admitted the study of which would improve ours.
11 "You will have to decide, therefore, the legitimacy of the
pderiple of admitting foreign competitors ; and if you judge
dist tbs trial should be made, you will have to forward to
tan Aces of my department a list of those articles, which
In your opinion, it is to our interest to have in our approach-
ing exhibition. I invite you, therefore, to indicate to me
precisely, and with the greatest care, the various products
the introduction of which from abroad would extend the
manufacturing experience of this country. Wishing to
preserve in the forthcoming exhibition the twofold objects
which have marked the conduct of its predecessors, it should

be thoroughly understood that agricultural productions,
agricultural instruments arc admissible within the building.
"The experiment which I am now desirous of making on a
large scale has, I am informed, been already tried on, on a
small scale, a few years since, by the Lyons and Mulhausen
Chambers of Commerce. It is for you to judge whether or
not that which was considered expedient in the matter of a
special industry, would not also be expedient on a more
extensive basis.
"As regards the formalities and conditions to which foreign
exhibitors would necessarily be subjected. I have yet to
decide with my colleagues.
" Be good enough, gentlemen, to take the object of this
letter into your serious consideration, and to favour me, as
early as possible, with your decisions, ifie."
L. Burrzt, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce.
On the subject of this letter, which was received with the
meet liberal encouragement from many departments, M. J.
Lemeroio well known fur his inquiries into the science of indus
try, treats the admission of foreign competitors as premature.
"Every reform, every step forward, should await its hour—
in polities as in industry. The day will come, and it is not,
perhaps, so distant as some people may imagine it to be,
when French industry will have reached that degree of
elevation which will enable it to defy competition, and to
proclaim the advent of its entire liberty."
The reply of the Mulhausen Chamber of Commerce to the
ministerial circular contains a fair specimen of the general
opinion then prevalent on the subject : " Progress is the
fundamental law of industry. To struggle for perfection
in manufactures, to endeavour alter cheapness, to keep pace
with all foreign improvements, may be classed as objects
which the enlightened manufacturer has always in view.
Only by fulfilling these conditions can he rank as a useful
citizen. In this spirit have the manufacturers of Alsace set
about their labours, and they have been aided by the pro-
tective duties which have shielded them from foreign com-
petition in the rapid development of their great industry."
In this strain the Mulhausen address proceeds to discoun-
tenance the admission of foreign competition into national
industrial exhibitions. The framers of this notable reply to
M. Buffet little dreamt of tho great international exhibition
to which England—more liberal and courageous than they—
would soon invite them.