The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-22
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

" oShingfOn, June i, 1850.
SIR ! have the honor to transmit to you herewith
a 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
qured by the regulations of tbs 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 sf articles applicable to the exhibition.
need hardly say to you sir, that the proceedings
Of the National Institute, set forth in this correspon
denoe meet the appreciation Of the Department, which
has full confidence in the committee named by that
Institute.
avail myself of thi, opportunity to renew to you
the assurance OF my high and distinguished con-
sideration. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
Right Honorable Sir Fl. l.. BuLwER, Sc
Extract from the Circular If the Royal Commits
sioners.
"The Commissioners have felt that it would be
desirable, far possible, to prevent any per-
sons from sending bither articles which cannot be
admitted, rather than to re ect 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-
hbtion by fore On contributors ought not to he inn
posed upon any English tribunal, but should be
referred to one lvlng the confidence of the eXhi-
btors them YES, and standing entirely free from
possible Equations Of national pGrtiaty. They
acco .ngly propose to admit 10 exhibition such
foreign articles only us he forwarded tnefn
by the Central Authority (whotever 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 he admitted, provided th6y
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 felow-coun-
trymen.
I" Her Maiestys Commissioners will consider
that to be the Central Authority in each rhich
is stated 10 be by the Government IF 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 can
only refer to a central body. This decision is
essentially necessary, in order to prevent con-
fusion.
mo 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 il is indispensable that the sanction Of
such authority should in all cases be expressly
given, and that be held responsible for the fit
ness Of such articles for exhibition, and for not
authorizing the exhibition Of a greater quantity
than can be accommodated in the space assigned
to the productions of the country in question:"
A full discussion was 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 of f We first charged
with this subject by the Institute CONSTITUTING
Mr.. Kennedy for Mr.. Greenough, who is absent)
be an Executive Committee to take all necessary
steps to carry ont the views Of the general COM
mittee,