The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-09


TION OF ieAIsix
MEETING 81 rHE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ron THE I'm
EEEgHL TED Stalls s'i .tk FE sgE
Pursuant 10 the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mste al the OF the National Institute, in the
Patent Office, on Thursday evening" the 18th instant,
at o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter X. johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Gree
was called to the Chair, and Charles +. Stanbury
chosen Secretary OF the inecting 'L3f1 H
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 read by Prof johnson, in
explanation Of the appointment and duties Of the
committee
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May IL, 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 Plenipotentiary OF her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rela
tive the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London iii the year 1851
From the circular OF the Royal Commissioners Of
Great Britain hereto annexed ii 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
trail authority or commission of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that no other will
be recognized central authority except snch
shall have been certified by the Government Of the
country in which il exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled TO
appear in the place allotted to them, il will be nds
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly incorporated
L..
matters pertaining TO the arts and sciences, IS the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such central authority.
Therefore beg leave to submit 10 its consideration
the interesting and important subject which has been
brought to the attention OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy OF her Maesty's Government,
aud to request such action suggestions may
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. . .. D.. .
l have the honor to be, very respectfully. yours,
s.. r-ahfa H.. g..l gis JOHN M CLAYTON.
This communication was laid before the National
institute, and by ii referred to select committee
which brought forward the following reports
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 TO The rmation
of a central authority for transmitting articles TO
1851 offers the following report; g..
The committee, impressed wi the importance
of the subject commended to the Institute, have
given TO it their earnest ard 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-
unites OF being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles are 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, f..
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro-
oion al Science and the Arts, directly Incorporated
by the Government, the Secretary o State has deem
ed it the appropriate body 10 take action make sg
.est,ons relative 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 on the part oil the Ser
retary of State the committee consider the National
Institute In duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spectfuy recommend the following resolution
|. Rfsoiped, That the Ins tItu,c will take action
the subject submitted to it by the Department Of
State. -. o. a.. ....'. r ... ...' ... ...-
2. ReSolred, That tie Institute do proceed
to constitute a suitable TO be recognised by
the Government central body to hold correspond
with the British Commissioners aud to secure
the reception of productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London. .s.. .-
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r JOHNSON, Committee.
J. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,