The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-26
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

copy OF 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
of the National Institute set forth in this correspon
denee meet the appreciation Of the Department, which
has full confidence in the committee named by tina,
Institute.
laval 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.. BuLwER, SIC.
Extract from the Circular Of the Royal Commits
sioners.
"The Commissioners have felt that it 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 i'm 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 lving the confidence Of the exhi-
bitors thens, .ves and standing entirely free from
possible -Iputations of national Partially. They
acccr .lngly 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
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. 1t 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.
Z" Her Majesty's Commissioners will consider
that to be the Central Authority in each uhich
is stated 10 be so by the Government Of its country
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 central body. This decision is
essentially necessary, in order to prevent con-
fusion.
Z" No articles Of foreign manufacture, to 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
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 it 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 greater quantity
than can be accommodated in the space assigned
to the productions of the country in question:"
A full discussion 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 ofhve first charged
with this subject by the Institute Substituting
Mr.. Kennedy for Mr., Greenough, who is absent)
| be an Executive Committee to take all necessary
steps to carry out the views of the general com
mittee,