The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-21
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Unshinpfon .bfnc 4 1871


SIR I have the honor 10 transmit to you herewith
copy al the correspondence which has passed be-
tween this Department and the National Institute for
the Promotion OF Science, respecting the organization
OF committee to constitute the central authority
quired by the regulations Of the Royal Commission on
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 OF articles applicable to the exhibition.
need hardly say to you, sir, that the proceedings
oil the National Institute, set forth in this corrcspon
denoe, meet the appreciation OF the Department which
has full confidence in the committee named by that
| Institute .s
avail myself OF this opportunity to renew to you
the assurance Of my high and distinguished CON
sideration. JOHN M. CLAYTON.
Right Honorable Sir II. l.. BUIwER, SC.
Erfract from The Circular Qf the Royal Commits
sone,s.
"Ihe Commissioners have felt that il would be
desirable, 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
hibton by foreign contributors ought not to be I'M
posed upon any English tribunal, but should be
referred to one wing the confidence of the exhi-
bitors thems,.ves, and standing entirely free from
possible Equations Of national partality. They
acco .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 on with respect to the admission
of articles All articles forwarded by such Cen
trail Authority will then be admitted provided they
do not require a. greater aggregate amount of
space than that assigned to the productions Of the
IL III
also, that they do not violate the conditions and
limitations Of which due notice shall have been
given. Ii 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 fellow-coun-
trymen.
"Her Majesty's Commissioners will consider
that to be the Central Authority in each case rhich
is stated to be By The Government Of its copnf,u
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 a central body. This decision is
essentially necessary, in order to prevent con-
fusion.
g No articles Of foreign manufacture, 10 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 I
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 il is indispensable that the sanction of
such authority should in all cases be expressly
given, and that it be held responsible for the fit
ness Of such articles for exhibition, and for not
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
thus laid before the committee, and, on motion of
the Hon, w. w. Seaton, it was
Resolved, That the Committee of We first charged
with this subject by the Institute Substituting
MIR. Kennedy for Mr.. Greenough, who is absent)
mittee.