The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-31

We part with this enterprising and in
genious with great regret Our country is very
much indebted his exertions for the valuable lite.
rary works and collections OF the arts which he has
presented 10 the United States and to the several
States We trust that he will continue to prosecute
this International exchange for the benefit OF his own
country as we'll of ours--though, in fact, it 10
difficult for us to dvest ourselves OF the idea that he Is
moi citizen of the United States. Mr. Vattenare is
OF great merit, of singular and OF ndom
table energy We learn from unquesuonable evidence
that the world is indebted to him for the first suggestion
OF the great industrial exhibition Of the arts OF all
nations which is to take place in London in May
next. (See Hunts Magazine, August. ls47.) 1t was
he who suggested it years since in Paris, and who
enlisted some OF the members Of the National Institute in
it's behalf The design to assign all the honors Of
such splendid enterprise to France but her revelation
on and defeated the execution Of the plan The idea
communicated 10 Great Britain and great praise is
due 10 her enterprsng statesmen and artists for the
egy with which it has been prosecuted and the immense
scale on which il is to be carried out.
TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
Being now, after sojourn Of nearly four years IN this
great and prosperous siserhoUd Of republics the point
OF returning 10 my own beloved country, cannot leave
these enlightened and hospitabe shores without indul
gng myself in final and aectonate farewell to the
ness am 20 deeply indebted Wherever Ego. shall
10 carry with me the wamest recolectons
OF all the proofs OF regard and acts OF personal courtesy
which have been extended to unpretendng foreigner
in every portion OF her wide domain / loved America
before saw IT, have many reasons to love II yet
more, since seeing i with my, own eyes. and experi,
encing in liberal degree its feelings OF goodwill
leave il now probably for the last time but the reem-
brance OF both my visits will be associated in my
heart with the tenderes and most grateful emoons and
should meet in the Old World an enemy oil America,
will say TO him, $50 there, and you will be her enemy
no longer"
But il is known to all who take the least interest in
humble myself, that all my thoughts anxiees
and abors are concentrated in beloved objectthe
success OF my system OF international exchange For
this alone live Hence it is not unnatural that in eav
and institutions of the Old, should bear away in my
bosom anxious socitnde for the life and OF the
promising plant, YET green and tender which have hap
trust, therefore, that shall be pardoned il, in these
closing hours OF my stay should throw out with all hu
mity and respect some suggestions which appear to me
important--perhaps indispensable-o the permanency
and success OF the system 1t has thus far in good de-
gree realized the promises OF usefulness it held out; and
would not be pity that institution which may be
rendered fruitful OF good should wither and perish just
as its benefits begin 10 be experienced!
To the permanently OF the plan, il is above all
things important that should be sheltered from every
appearance OF commercial business and secured against
ali possibility of imposition, speculation bribery To
this end il is Necessary TO give its transactions publicity
10 them wholly from all private touch and all in
dvdual interest The system devised for nations,
not for individuals hence all It's dongs in all its depart
men,s, must have an odor Of nationality" about them
they must be the transactions OF public bodies and public
men for the public good
have thought that one OF the best modes OF attaining
this object would be the appointment in each State oil the
Union Of select standing committee, who should have
the and custody OF the State library (where such
thing exists, and trust it will be found in every
Stae) and be charged with the conduct OF exchanges,
domestic and foreign Such committees should be appoint
ed under State legislative authority by the governor or by
some other public unconary as far above and removed
from the influence OF mere party politics may be, and
should be selected without the least reference to polt
cal opinion from alone Of distinguished character,
and interested in the progress OF science and of social
improvement Such State committee would be IN cor
respondence with the central agency at Paris, and
would communicate TO il, from time to me the nteec
tual wants of the various scientific and literary establish
ments OF the State, furnishing al the time lists Of
such works and objects oil science art and natural his
tory as they might possess Or De able to control 1r pa
tanning duplicate copies, or copies not used oil any vau
able work, might send to such committee list OF their
duplicates, which they would be glad spare in the
hope Of receiving other works in exchange which were
SET down second list furnished to the commit
tee and containing statement Of the books they most
BY which the wants Of the learned on either side Of the
Atlantic, in different quarters of your own country
might mutually be made known to each other-many OF
which wants, to say the least, might thereupon be
quickly, and without any new purchase by either
party, supplied. This has been done by Harvard
University, whose duplicate volumes have been sent TO
the agency at Paris tor purposes OF exchange But TO
guard against abuses, il should he established an
infexible rule that exchanges shall be effected by
pecunary MEANS unless in special cases, 10 be spe.
officially provided for by State authority. All books,
maps engravngs, statues &c passing through the hands
OF the standing committee. ought 10 be the results OF
changes oil similar insure; and where individuals wish
to transmit such things tokens OF respect and good
will, without seeking any return, or where learned
men desire TO exchange scientific reports communca
lions, this also should be done through the committee
alone-no intercourse pih private Individuals being
knoUn 10 the system permitted by its regulations No
objects should be allowed TO be transmitted through the
central agency abroad, or through the standing commit
tees here, without having osteDslbe indeble mark
system OF International exchange, and therefore public
property. When this is enforced as qua non, any
private individual, having object in his possession with
that mark upon IT, could be held 10 account for the man
ner in which il came into his hands, and be compelled 10
give II mp for the public ends for which il commit
ted TO the action Of the system. Books with this mark.
il on booksellers shelves, might at once be seized as
iraudulently come by.
Where a college or university finds itself in want OF
any rare or expensive European work. though il
have at present work oil equivalent value transmit
in exchange, need not be deferred that account,
from taking advantage OF the system TO let It's want be
supplied II would have only TO signify that want to the
executive OF the State, 10 the chairman Of the standing
committee Of exchange, and its wishes will be imme
diately communicated TO The central agency at Paris, by
which, il the desired work be attainabe, il will be read
lily procured, early practicable and transmitted to
The committee here. The work obtained will be Stale
property, and will ever continue but on its arrival
the committee can transmit il, loan, for the use OF
The university where II may remain and be used, not
the property OF the university, but ntrused TO its care
by the State.
II another wishes TO make donation Of his works to