The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-12
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June I, 1850.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June l, 1850.
SIR I have the honor to transmit to you herewith
a copy of the correspondence which has passed be-
tween this Department and the National Institute Tor
the Promotion OF Science, respecting the organization
OF committee to constitute the central authority re-
qured by the regulations of the Royal Commission
the proposed Industrial Exhibition to correspond with
them in London and with societies, local committees,
and individuals in this country and to sanction the
forwarding 81 articles applicable to the exhibition
need hardly say to you, sir, that the proceedings
Of the National Institute, set forth in this correspon
denee, meet the appreciation Of the Department. which
has full confidence in the committee named by that
Institute. ,
avail myself OF this opportunity to renew to you
the of my high and distinguishes CON
Right Honorable Sir II. l.. BuLwER, sc.
Extract from the Circular Of the Royal Commits
& - sioners. s-
"The Commissioners have felt that it would be
as far as possible, to prevent any per-
sons from sending hither articles which cannot be
admitted, rather than to reject the articles after
their arrival in London. They feel also that the
delicate and responsible task Of deciding on the
admission or rejection of articles destined for eX-
hibition by foreign contributors oughtnot to be I'M
posed upon any English tribunal, but should be
referred to one lving the confidence of the exhi-
bitors thems, YES, and standing entirely free from
possible nputations of national Partially. They
acccr ,ngly propose to admit to exhibition such
foreign articles only as may be forwarded to them
by the Central Authority (whatever may be its
nature) in each country. They will communicate
to such Central Authority the amount of space
which can be allowed to the productions of the
country for which it acts, and will also state the
conditions and limitations which may from time
to time be decided with respect to the admission
of articles All articles forwarded by such Gen.
trail Authority will then be admitted, provided they
do not require greater aggregate amount of
space than that assigned to the productions Of the
country from which they come; and, provided,
also, that they do not violate the conditions and
limitations Of which due notice shall have been
given. 1t will rest with the Central Authority in
each country to decide upon the merits of the
several articles presented for exhibition, and to
take care that those which are sent are such as
fairly represent the industry of their ellow-coun-
trymen.
" Her Majesty's Commissioners will consider
that to be the Central Authority i'm each case chic
is stated to be by the Government Of its country.
Having once been put in communication with a
Central Authority in any country, they must de-
cline, absolutely and entirely, any communication
with private and unauthorized individuals and
should any such be addressed TO them they can
only refer to central body This decision is
essentially necessary, in order to prevent con-
fusion. ~ ... .. ...
No articles of foreign manufacture, to whom
soever they may belong, or whereSoever they may
be, can be admitted for exhibition unless they
come with the sanction Of the Central Authority
of the country of which they are the produce.
The Commissioners do not insist upon such arti-
cles being in all cases actually forwarded by the
Central Authority, though they consider that this
would generally be the most satisfactory arrange
ment but it is Indispensable that the sanction OF
such authority should in all cases be expressly
gwen, and that 1t be held responsible for the fit
nrtl fnr nd ~
authorizing the exhibition Of a greater quantity
than can be accommodated in the space assigned
to the productions of the country in question
full discussion was then had of the subject
mus Iald perore me committee, and, on motion of
the Hon, w. w. Seaton, it was
Resolved, That the Committee Of FIVE first CHARGED
with this subject by the institute (substitutinr
Mr.. Kennedy for Mr., Greenough, who il absent
be an Executive Committee to take all necessary
steps TO carry out the views Of the general COM
mittes.