The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-12

~ :. !. :. 49,. Z, ~, ~ Y s
Pursuant 10 Tia notiee given, tn
- mste Al the rooms Il IL National N -
pstsas OAes, on Thursday evening, - y inasas =
Il O'Clock. AZ
The nessing was called to order " Pzcssssos WI
ter H. Johnson, on whose motion Col. Hetcy Fore
was called to the Chair, and Charles r. Stzpbury
chosen Secretary Of the lseetins.
This temporary organisation having been effected
the committee proceeded to organize permanently b
the appointments N the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vic'
President OF the United States Chairman, and Prof
Walter n. johnson Secretary.
AT the the request OF the Chairman, (Col Force
the following papers read by PROT johnson, IL
explanation Of the appointment and duties Of thu
committee
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850.
10 the President Of the National hssfitutc
for the Promotion Of Schemes.
SIR: have the honor herewith to transmit Co
pies OF correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Plenipotentiary Of her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rea-
tive to the proposed Industrial Exhibition 10 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 are required
trial authority or commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought and that other will
be recognized as central authority except such
81 all 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, 1t will be indis-
pensable 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 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 oil this Department by the
distinguished Envoy of her Maiesty'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 report:
Report Of the Committee eft 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 reports
The committee, impressed with the importance
of The subject commended to the Institute, have
given TO itther 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.
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 the fuhmept 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 oil 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 nd the following resolution:
L. Resoiued, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department of
State.
2. Resosrcd, That the Institute do now proceed
to constitute committee suitable 70 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 Loiiaon.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Committee.
j. ]. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,