The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-31
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL ExHIBI-
TION OF 1851.

THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL ExHIBI-
TION OF 1851.
MEETING or THE CENTRAL COMMITTEES FOR THE UNI
TED STATES. gF
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete al the of the National lnsiitnte in the
Patent Ohce on Thursday ening, the 18th Instant
at o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter X. Johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Force
was called to the Chair, and Charles +. Stsnbury
chosen Secretary Of the meeting
This temporary organization having been effected,
the committee proceeded to organize permanently by
the appointments of the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President Of the United States, Chairman, and Prof.
Walter X. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request of the Chairman, (Col. Force,)
the following papers were read by Prof johnson, in
explanation OF the appointment and duties Of the
committee aa-* # ss.. .' z
., a,.. .. STATE DEPARTMENT,
WAsHINGToN, May IL, 1850.
To the President Of the National Institute
IL. for the Promotion Of Science. ......
SIR: have the honor herewith to transmit CO..
pes Of a correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Plenpotentiary Of her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rela
tive TO the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851.
From the circular OF the Royal Commissioners of
Great Britain, hereto annexed it will be observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that Exhibition required
to have been first submitted to and approved by CEN
trail authority commission of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
be recognized central authority except such as
shall have been certified by the Government OF the
country in which il exists. e,t d .,s..
That American industry and arts nav be enabled 10
appear in the place allotted to them, it will be inds-
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National institutes having been regularly incorporated
by act Of Congress- and being habitualy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and sciences, is the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such a central authority
therefore beg leave to submit to its consideration
the interesting and important subject which has beeh
brought to the attention OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy OF her Msjestys Government,
and to request such action suggestions may seem
necessary in order that the natural productions the
ingenuity, Industry, and arts Of the United States
may be fully and suitably represented on the interest
ing occasion herein referred to- "~ 3 ~1 VI" t~ .''
have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
.,s. W. a.. JOHN M CLAYTON.
This communication was laid before the National
Institute and by it referred to select committee,
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee Of the National Institute:
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John NJ. Clay
ton, Secretary Of State, relative 10 the formation
Oh central autHOTlly LOT transmitting articles 10
the Industrial Exhibition to be held in London in
1851, offers the following report:
The committee, impressed with the Importance
Of the subject commended to the Institute, have
given 10 it their earnest and careful attention.
The resources, the ingenuity, the industry, and
arts of the United States are conceived to merit
he best eddeayors to procure for them the oppor-
unities OF being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
AggreeablV to the programme adopted by the Row
al Commission, no articles to be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
been approved by central authority, recognized as
such by the Government Of the country from which
they sent
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro
otion of Science and the Arts directly Incorporated
by the Government the Secretary OF State has Deem
ed it the appropriate body to take action make sug
sesons relative to the ument of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners by the establishment Of such
central authority as the case seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal the part Of the Sec
rotary OF State, the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spcctfully recommend the following resolution
I. RESOLVED That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
g.. Resoloed, That tho Institute do now proceed
to constitute committee suitable to be recognised by
with the British Commissioners, and to secure
the reception OF american productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE, Y
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r JOHNSON, ) Committee.
J. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,