The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-18
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

/ WALTER N. JOHNSON, Esq, Corresponding
..-. Secretary OF the National Institute.
nf-a ..- a DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Bib .,...l .E 49, M. Washington, June 1, 1850.
, Sir have the honor to transmit to you herewith
copy of the correspondence which has passt d 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
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
of the National Institutes set forth in this correspon
dence meet the appreciation Of the Department which
has full confidence in the committee named by that
Institute sI ID g ,gg
avail myself OF this opportunity to renew to you
the assurance of my high and distinguished con
sideration. st m JOHN M. CLAYTON.
Right Honorable Sir III. l.. BuLwER Sc
Extract from the Circular Of the Royal Commits
sionerS. .
HThe Commissioners have felt that it would be
as far as possible, TO prevent any per-
sons from sending hther 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 ex-
hibiton by foreign contributors ought not to be inn
posed upon any English tribunal, but should be
referred to one raving the confidence of the exhi-
bitors them ives, and standing entirely free from
possible .nputations of national partiality They
accordingly propose to admit to exhibition such
foreign articles only as may be forwarded to then,
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
nd Ep,it atl y,hi
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
country from which they come; and, provided
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 fellowcoun
trymen. sn." - sst -. hN
:" Her Maiesty's Commissioners will conside,
that to be the Central Authority in each case chici
is stated 10 be so by The Government Of its country
Having once been put in communication with
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 cal
only refer to a central body. This decision il
essentially necessary, in order to prevent con
fusion. - gr EH
No articles Of foreign manufacture, to whom
soever they may belong, or wheresoever they ma,
be, can be admitted for exhibition unless they
come with the sanction of the Central Authority
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 tn,
Central Authority, though they consider that thi.
would generally be the most satisfactory arrange
ment but ii is indispensable that the sanction OF
such authority should in all cases be expressly
given, and that 1t be held responsible for the fit.
ness Of such articles for exhibition, and for moi
authorizing the exhibition of 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
Resoiped. Thai the Committee Of i've first CHARGED
with this subject by the Institute (substitnting
Mr. Kennedy for Mr.. Greenough, who Is hbsen6
be an Executive Committee 10 take all necessary
steps TO carry out the views Of the general COM
mittee.