The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-19
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBIT.
TI0N OF 1861.
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.

MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
mste al the of the National institute, in the
Patent Office, on Thursday ,enng. the 18th instant
at o'clock.
The meeting was called to order By Profess w al
ter X. johnson, on whose motion Col Peter Force
was called 10 the Chair, and Charles f. 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, Chairman, and Prof.
Walter Il. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Col. Force
the following papers read by Prot johnson, in
explanation Of the appointment and duties OF the
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850.
TO the President Of the National Institute
for the Promotion Of Science.
SIR: ! have the honor herewith to transmit CO.
pies of correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Pen'potentiary OF her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rela-
tive TO the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851
From the circular Of the Royal Commissioners OF
Great Britain hereto annexed it will be observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that Exhibition required
have been first submitted TO and approved by
trail authority or commission "f the country from
which they shall be brought and that other will
be recognized a central atthOrity 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 i'll the place allotted to them, ii will be idis
pensable that recognized central authority should bc
constituted and am under the impression that the
National Institute having been regularly incorporated
by act Of Congress, and being habitualy engaged in
matters perta aiming to the arts and sciences, is the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such central authority.
therefore beg We to submit 10 ts consideration
the interesting and important snbect which has beef
brought to the attention of this Departing by the
distinguished Envoy of her Majesty's Government
and 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.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN Nj CLAYTON.
This communication laid before the National
institute, and by it referred to select committee
which brought forward the following reports
Report Of the Committee qr the National Institute
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the How. John NJ, Clay
ton, Secretary of State relative to the frmatiou
OF central authority for transmitting articles &c
the Industrial Exhibition to be held ia London in
1851, offers the following report:
The committee, impressed wi h the importance
OF the SUBJECT commenced 70 the institute, nave
given 10 it their earnest and careful attention.
The resources, the ingenuity, the industry, anC
arts of the United States are conceived to mer
he best eddeavors to procure for them the oppor
unities OF being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition al London.
Aggreeaby to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles arc to be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall hav.
been approved by central authority, recognized a
such by the Government Of the country from which
they sent.
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro
oon Of Science and the Arts, directly incorporated
by the Government, the Secretary OF State has deem
ed il the appropriate body to take action or make sug
.est,ons relative to the fulflment of the wishes Of thu
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment OF such
central authority as the case seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal on the part OF the Sec
rotary oil State the committee consider the Nationa
Institute in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re
spectfully recommend the following resolution
l. Resolped, That the Institute Will take actor
on the subject submitted to it by the Department o
State.
2 Resolred, That the Institute do proceed
to constitute committee suitable to be recognised by
the Government a central body to hold correspond
ence with the British Commissioners, aud to secur,
the reception OF American Productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER II JOHNSON, ) Committee
J. }. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,