The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-19


Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Comm.
zee nete al the rooms Of the National Institute, in tn
Patent Office, ON Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at O'Clock.
The meeting was called TO order by Professor w al
ter X. Johnson, on whose motion Col Peter Fore
was called TO the Chair, and Charles +. Stanbur,
chosen Secretary OF the meeting.
This temporary organization having been effected
the committee proceeded to organize permanently b.
the appointments OF the Hon Willard Fillmore, Vic
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Prof.
Walter X. johnson Secretary.
AT the the request of the Chairman, (Col. Force,
the following papers read by Prof johnson, il
explanation of the appointment and duties OF thu
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 a correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Plenipotentiary 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
to have been first submitted to and approved by
trail authority or commission OF the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
BIZ recognized as central authority 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 20
appear in the place allotted to them it will be ndis
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National Institutes having been regularly incorporated
by act of Congress, and being habtually engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and sciences, is the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such a central authority
therefore beg leave to submit to its consideration
the interesting and important subject which has been
brought to the attention OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy of her Majesty's Government,
and request such action suggestions as 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 M. CLAYTON.
This communication was laid before the National
Institute, ail by it referred to select committee,
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee Of the National Institute:
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John M. Clay
tom Secretary of State, relative to the formation
OF central authority for transmitting articles to
the Industrial Exhibition to be held in London in
1851, offers the following report:
The committee, impressed with the importance
of the subject commended to the Institute, have
given to it their earnest and careful attention
The resources, the ingenuity the industry, and
arts of the United States are conceived to merit
he best eddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
unties of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London
Aggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles TO be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
been approved by central authority, recognized as
such by the Government of the country from which
they sent.
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro
otion of Science and the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary OF State has deem
gesons relative to the fulflment of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of such
central authority as the case seems to require
To this voluntary proposal the part of the Sec
rotary OF State, the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound TO respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
specially recommend the following resolunu,.
l. Resoired That the Institute Will take action
on the .ublect submitted TO it by the Department OF
State.
2. Rsso:rcd, That the Institute do now proceed
to constitute committee suitable to be recognised by
the Government central body to hold correspond
ence with the british Commissioners, and to secure
the reception Of American oductons the proposed
industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER X. JOHNSON Committee
j. j. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,