The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-07
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL ExHIBI-
.".& TON OF 1861. .'"'9s I'D ,
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR THE I'M
TED STATES.


Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete al the Of the National Institute, IN the
Patent Office on Thursday evening, the 18TH instan''
at o'clock.
The meeting was called TO order by Professor Wal
ter II Johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter + orce
called to the Chair, and Charles +. Stanbury
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 or the United States, Chairman, and Prot
Walter X. johnson Secretary.
At the the request of the Chairman, (Col. Force0
the following papers read by Prof johnson, Ill
explanation OF the appointment and duties oil the
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850.
TO the President Of the National Institute
for the Promotion Of Science.
SIR: have the honor herewith to transmit CO.
pies 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 willhe 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 or commission of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
be recoe nized central authority except such as
shall have been certified by the Government OF the
country in which it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled to
appear in the place allotted to them, it will be inds
pensabe that recognized central authority should be
constituted and am under the impression that the
National Institute, 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 Majesty's 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.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
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 M. Clay
ton, Secretary Of State, relative TO the formation
of o central authority for 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 to it their earnest and careful attention.
| The resources, the ingenuity, the industry, and
arts Of the United States arc conceived to merit
he best cddtayors to procure for them the oPpor-
unities Of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
hggrceably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, articles TO be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
been approved by central authority, recognized
such BY the Government OF the country from which
they sent.
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro-
oiion Of Science md the Arts, directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary of State has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take action make sug-
.esons relative to The ullment Of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment OF such a
central authority as the case seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal on the part OF the Sec
rotary oil State the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond.
| In accordance with this view, the committee re-
specially nd the following resolution
| I. Resolved, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
| 2. Resolred, That TIE Institute do now proceed
to constitute committee suitable to be recognised by
the Government Il central body to hold correspond
ence with the British Commissioners, and to secure
the reception OF American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r JOHNSON, ) Committee.
J. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,