The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-16
THE, GRAND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TION OF 1851. sF g,-a-., -
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR THE UNI
TED STATES. .a.

-'s~1~ -O~-' ."tf#" f
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR THE UNI
TED STATES. .a.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
Zee mete al the rooms Of the National lnstute IN tho
Patent Office, on Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at 3 o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter r. Johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Force
was 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 OF the United States, Chain man. and Prot
w alter X. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Col. Force
the following papers read by Prof. Johnson, in
explanation OF the appointment and duties oil the
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May ~, 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 Plen potentiary Of her Ma esty
the Queen OF Great Britain aud this Department rea-
tive 10 the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851.
From the circular Of the Royal Commissioners OF
Great Dritan hereto annexed twill he observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries aud entered for that Exhibition required
trail authority or commission If the county from
which they shall be brought, and III At no other will
be recos nized a 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 il will he ndis
pensable that recognized central authority should DC
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly Incorporated
by act of Congress, and being habually engaged in
Dertalninv a the and sciences. the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such central authority.
therefore beg lea ave to submit to is consideration
the interesting and important subject which has beef
brought to the attention OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy OF her NIsjesty's Government
and to request such action or 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 the interest
ing occasion herein referred to.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN NJ 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 Conr,ittee 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 central authority for transmitting articles TO
the Industrial Exhibition to be held in London in
1851, offersthe following report
| The committee impressed with the importance
| Of the subject commended 10 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 eddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
| unities Of being adequately represented in the
| great Industrial Exhibition at London.
| Aggreeaby to the programme adopted by the Roy
| al Commission, articles to be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
been approved by a central authority, recognized as
such by the Government OF the country from which
| they sent.
This Institute being the only Society Tor the Pro-
oon of Science and the Arts, directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary Of State has deem
ed the appropriate body to take action make sug-
Cest,ons relative to the fulGlment 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 OF State, the committee consider the National
| Institute in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spcctluy recommend the following resolution
| l. ReSoloed, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department oil
| State.
2. Resolved, That tie Institute do now proceed
to constitute 4 suitable to be recognised by
the Government 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 II JOHNSON, Committee.
J.J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,