The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-26

MEETING OF THE cxwxa4L coMldirrEE roR THE vks
TED yrATES.


Pursuaat 10 the notiaR given, the Central CouniA
- netc n the rooms IT the National lnshks h. IN
Patsnt Odice, on Thursday evening, tbs 18th iastan
at B O'Clock.
The meeting was called 70 order by Professor Wsi'
ter H. Johusoa, on whose motion Col Peter Force
was called to the Chair, and Charles r. StanbuEy
chosen Secretary Of the meeting.
This Temporary Organization having been c6scted,
the committee Proceeded to organize fermancntiy BY
the appointments OF the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President Of tho United States, Chairman, and Prof
Walter H. johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Col. Force,)
the following Papers read by Prot johnson, in
explanation OF tho appointment and duties Of the
committee
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850.
10 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 Pienip0tentiary VI her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rcla
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 obscrv cd 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 commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought and that other will
be recognized as central authority except such
sall have been certified by the Government Of the
country in which it exists
That American industry and arts may he enabled 70
appear in the place allotted TO them, it will be ndis
pensablc that recognized central authority should be
consttuted and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly incorporated
by act OF Congress, and being habtualiy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts nnd Sciences is the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such central authority.
the interesting and important subject which has bce,
brought to the attention OF this Department by thu
distinguished Envoy Of her Majesty's Government
and 10 request such action uggesions may
necessary in order that the natural productions, the
ingenuity, industry, and arts Of the United States
may be fully AMI suitably represented on the interest
ing occasion herein referred To.
have the honor to be, very respectfully yours,
JOHN Nj CLAYTON.
This communication laid before the N,tional
Institute, and by it referred o select committee,
which brought forward the following report:
report Of the Committee If the National Institute:
The special committee, to which was REFERRED
the communication from the Hon. John M. Clay
ton, Secretary of State, relative TO the formation
OF { ntral authority for transmitting articles 10
the Industrial Exhibition to be held in London in
1851, offers the following report:
The committee. impressed wi h the importance
of the subject commended TO the Institute, have
given to ii their earnest and careful attention.
The resources, the ingenuity, the industry, and
arts of the United States conceived to merit
he best eddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
unities OF being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggrces bly, to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, articles to be received from.
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
such by the Government of the country from which
they are sent
This Institute being the only Society Tor the Pro-
otion OF Science and the Arts, directly Incorporated
by the Government the Secretary Of State has Deem
ed it the appropriate body to take action make sg-
sestons relative to the fulfment Of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of such
central authority as the seems to require.
To this Nountar, proposal on 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-
spcctfully recommend the following resolution:
l. ResolDed That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State
3. Resc,red, That the Institute do now proceed
to constitute suitable to be recognised by
the Government a central body 10 hold correspond
encc with the british Commissioners. and to secure
the reception of productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in Loiiaca.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER X JOHNSON, Committee.
J. j. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,