The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-19
THE GRAND IMDDern1ALExnanl
TIOM or le6I.


THE GRAND ExHanl-
TION or lstI.
mErr7So or rHE CENTRAL CosMsvTEx r0R rHE vxs-
TED STATES. ~ .sti.f l.l
Pursa nj to the notice given, the Central Connt-
81 meta II tho roons of tie National lnstikute in the
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the lJth INSTANT
ii 8 O'clock. 4t1 F
The meeting was called to order BY Professor Wal
ter X. johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Force
was called 10 the Chair, and Charles II. Stsabury
chosen Secretary of Tbs meeting.
This temporary organization having been efssctsd,
the committee proceeded TO organize permanently by
the appoiptmens OF thc Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President Of the United States, Chairman, and Pxoi
Walter X. JohnBon Secretary.
At the the request OF the Chairman, (Col. Force)
the following papers were read by Prof johnson, in
explanation Of the appointment and duties Of the
committee
SrArE DEPARTMENT.,
WAsHINoroN, May II, 1850.
To the President Of the .Nati0s0l bsstiftHe
for the Promotion Of Scisnes
Sir; have the honor herewith "a transmit CO.
pies OF a correspondence which has taken place ber
tween tue Minister Plenipotsntiary OF her Majesty
the Queen Of Great Britain and this Department rsla
tive to the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851.
From the circular oT the ROYAL Commissioners Of
Great Britain, hereto snnsxed ii will be observed that
all objects intended TO be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that ExhibitioQ Required
to have been first submitted to and approved BY can
trail authority or commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that mo othsr will
be recognized central authority except such IS
sall have been certified by the Government Of the
country in which it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled to
appear in the place allotted to them, it will be inds
penssbe that recognized central authority should be
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly incorporated
by act Of Congress- and being habitualiy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and scieuces, the
proper body for taking the Initiative in constituting
such 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 Msjesty's Gov crnment,
and to request such action suggestions may seem
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, and by it referred to select committee,
which brought forward the following reports
Report Of the Committee u the National Istiswte
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John M. Clay
ton, 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 aud 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-
unities 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
such by the Government OF the country from which
they are 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
cd it the appropriate body to take action make sug
gesons relative to the fuflmen OF the wishes Of the
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 OF State the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spectfully recommend the following resolution
l.. Resolved That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted To 1t by the Department OF
State. -f
2. RssoJrcd, 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 productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Committee.
j. ]. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,
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