The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-10
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBI-
TION OF 1851.
sEETIEG or THE CENTRAL coMMirTEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.

TED STATES.
Pursuant 10 the notice given, the Central Commit
zee ste al the of the National Institutes in the
Patent Office, on Thursday evening" the 18th instant
at o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter k. johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Force
called to the Chair, and Charles T. 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 r. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Col. Force
the following papers read by Prof johnson, in
explanation OF the appointment and duties OF the
committee
STATE Department.,
WAsHINGToN, MAY IL, 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 Plenpotentiary 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 Bftan hereto annexed il 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 con-
trail authority or commission of the country from
which they shall be brought and that other will
be recognized as central authority except snch 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 hem will be ndis
pensabc that recognized central authority should be
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National Institutes having been regularly
by act Of Congress, aud being habitualy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and sciences, is 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 Majesty's Government
and to request such action suggestions may
necessary in order that the natural productions, the
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 laid before the National
Institute, and by it referred to a select committee
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee u 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 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-
unities Of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggrecably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles are to he received from
Foreign Exhibitors except thsse 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 nd the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government, the Secretary OF State has deem
ed 1t the appropriate body to take aco' make sug-
Sestons relative to the fument of the wishes of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of suoh
central authority &c the case seems to Sequire.
q THIS NMunissy proposal on the part OF the Sec
rotary OF state, the committee consider the National
Institute IA duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spectiuliy recommend the following resoluuu,:
L. Resoired, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
= H"to.rcd, That the Institute do now proceed
to a committee suitable to be recognised by
the Government central body 70 hold correspond
with the british Commissioners and to secure
the reception of American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER X JOHNSON, Committee
]. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,