The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-06
M. ALEXANDRA vATTEMERE.

We publish in another column the Memorial Of
M. Alexandra vaitemcrc to Congress- submitting a
project Of great interest to every literary and scientific
person. and indeed to every patriot and phanthropst
lis five may SO describe It, proposition to summon
together in every nation Congress of the works and
productions of all other nations 1t is bring out OF
oblivion and set in motion the best specimens of the
performances Of every people in literature science the
arts, &c, and their mineral, vegetable and animal
productions to form, it were, permanent museum
Of the world, in every nation illustrative as well OF
the powers of nature of the state of perfection to
which the productions of the human mind and hand
have arrived tending in every quarter of the
globe Il is not only to set in motion the numerous
works which, although constantly appearing would
otherwise remain hidden in the place of their origin
but to summon from the dust of secluded Libraries and
collections works which although existing in duplicate
have been confined the attention and enjoyment Of
few, and bring them to the light Of the world, and
within the observation of the entire human family
What noble enterprise is this What an enlarged,
comprehensive and benevolent idea! The Chinaman
and the American the African and the Laplander.
the Russian and the Spaniard, citizens of all and
every nation and tongue to bring their respective la
bors and accomplishments to points of comparison,
tangible to the whole race of mankind At those
points should every citizen of every country present
HIMSELF he would not only find himself at home, but
also in the presence Of all nations What a grand
commencement for universal comparison, and uniycr
sal learning of something, one nation from another
and universal diffusion of each impulse, or i'm
provement, which may contribute to the comfort or
happiness Of the great family of man. 1t would bring
into single point of view Of the most striking
evidences of the physical relations and state of civza
ton Of each branch of the human family and tend as
well to stimulate competition Of universal genius as
to perfect universal happiness.
This is great undertaking for single individual
But M. Vattemere Is an extraordinary man. Per
haps we are not at liberty to describe his genius We
may say however that the head which conceived this
noble project is animated by heart which will not
flag. His cxertions have been already crowned with
success. Nearly two millions Of volumes of books
have been Withdrawn from the Dust about GOO thou
sand have been forwarded to a central depot for ex
change, and numerous natural productions have been
interchanged within the last four years. M Waite
mere is encouraged by most of the Governments Of
Europe, and carries with him numerous interesting
evidences Of that fact and we have no doubt he win
succeed fully
His project is comprised in this TO establish sys-
tenn Of exchanges between the governments and lite
rary institutions Of different nations by which books
natural productions, and works Of art possessed by
one, transferred for an equivalent value, TO an
other.
We are happy to learn that the Library Committee
Of Congress, about to report resolution favorable
to the object M Vst,emcre Expresses in his memorial