American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-31
THE NATIONAL FAIR AT WASHING
TON.

The committee of superintendent of the
National Exhibition of American manuiac-
lures and products of Mechanical Art, to be
held in the City Of Washington, on the Goth OF
May next have issued the following circular;
Many persons friendly to the permunency of
the present protective system, and others, who,
without being committed to its support, desire
information in reference to its effects, have
suggested the Importance of procuring an eX-
hbition of American Manufacturing and Me-
chancal Products TO be made at the seat OF
Government at as e0ry period, during the
present Spring, as the opportunities for ac-
complishng such a project might allow. 1t is
believed that an exhibition, embracing sPeci-
mems Of every kind of handicrait or smanutac-
turing skill employed in the nation, or at least
all such specimens as may be conveniently
procured for the occasion, together with the
prices at which they may be purchased, and
the names of those by whom they are fabrica-
ted, would embody, in an impressive form, a
mass of useful facts which could not fail to be
appreciated as they deserve by the public au-
thorities upon whom rests the responsibility of
sustaining the prosperity of the great interests
! connected with this subject; and that such
facts collected from the daily transactions OF
the people, authenticated by the personal ex-
amlnations of all who choose to inspect them,
would furnish incontrovertible arguments in
favor Of that industry which so greatly honors
as we'll as enricheS the mechanics of America.
A recommendation ola similar exhibition by
the National Institute two years ago met with
high degree of favor from the public at that
period; and the success Of such an effort now
may, it is hoped, lead to its. regular adoption
hereafter, as a means of presenting at suitable
intervals visible demonstration of the advance
of the country in those arts upon which its
prosperity SO greatly depends.
At consultation recently held by many
members of the present Congress gentlemen
of both political parties-the proposition ofin-
viting such an exhibition as we have referred
to was considered and adopted, as an enterprise
of eminent utility at this time, and with n
confidence that it would find hearty assent
from the friends of national industry through
out the whole Union. To give efficacy to this
proposition they have nominated the under
signed as general committee of superinten-
dence, and have charged them with the duty
of presenting the subject to the country al
large, of inviting the aid of the friends of ma.
tional industry to the scheme, and Of making
such preparations as may be necessary to rem.
time allowed will permit.
Thus summoned to this labor from source
so amply entitled to the respect and confidence
of the nation, and fully concurring in the i'm
portance attached to the subject, the under
signed have not hesitated to comply with the
wishes of those by whom they have been put
in requisitson, and promptly to enter upon the
duties consigned to them. In the performance
of these duties they invoke the earnest coop
GRAFTON of all who may have any thing to con
tribute to the proposed exhibition, hoping thai
this invitation will be answered in such man
ner as shall enable the committee to present
such display of the work of our artisans al
shall adequately attest the great skill and per
lection to which our country has attained IL
manufacturing and mechanical arts.
The committee propose that the exhibition
| shall be opened at Washington on the Goth o
May next, previous to which date ample pro
/ vision will be made for the reception, security
and suitable disposition of all specimens which
may be sent to their care.
They invite the transmission Of specimen
, of every kind of manufacture and handicraf
known to the artisans of the United States, an'
desire that the price, as we'll as the maker
name, be furnished with each article intended
5 for exhibition. Committees will be appointed
Tor the superlntendance ana arrangement an
} preservation of all parcels sent to the exhibi
0 ton rooms.
The rooms will be ready to receive article
: for exhibition from and after the first day o
a May. The examination will be kept open no
: less than two weeks.
5 Owners ofparcels exhibited during the exhi
t bition will, unless directions to the contrary b.
given, be expected to allow the sale of sucl
- parcelS at the price ma rked to he delivered a
e the close of the exhibition.
All goods intended for exhibition can be di
e rected to MIR. David A. Hall, secretary of tn
!, committee, who will see to their safe-keeping
: and attend to their being re-packed after tin
. close of the exhibition.
o In case of sale of them, the money will b.
e duly transmitted.
= As there will be many goods undisposed O
Q which the proprietors may not desire to hav
0 returned, and prefer to have sold for their ben
: eft the committee will cause sale at auction