The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-13

cutive Committee very fully explains the diff
Guilty.
CENTRAL AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED
STATES ON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.
IN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The following statement is respectfully submit
ed for the consideration of the President Of the
United States:
On the 9th of March, 1850, the Minister Plenipo-
tertiary other Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain
to the United States, addressed letter to the Sec
rotary OF State, enclosing a copy of commission
which her Majesty had been pleased to ISSUE for the
purpose OF promoting an Exhibition in England for
the work OF all nations. and expressing the convic-
ton on the part of her Majesty's Government that
the United States Government would be well dis
posed to promote the success of the undertaking.
On the 18th of May the Secretary of State trans
united to the National Institute copies of corre-
5pondence between the British Minister and the
State Department, relative to the proposed Indus
trial Exhibition. From these papers it appeared
that, without the approval by arecognised Central
Authority in the United States, nothing from this
country would be received at the Exhibition.
On the 9th of May letter from the National In
stitute to the Secretary of State informed him of
the appointment OF Central Committee, "to hold
correspondence with the British Commissioners
and to secure the reception Of American produc-
tons at the proposed Industrial Exhibition in
London"
On the Sth of June the Secretary of State ad-
dressed letter to the National Institute in appro-
val of their proceedings, and enclosing copy of
letter dated June /, from the State Department to
the British Minister in this city, informing him of
the Organization of committee to constitute the
Central Authority required by the regulations of the
royal commission on the proposed Industrial Ex-
hibition,' etc.
The committee constituting the Central Author-
ty Immediately on its organization, addressed
letter to the Governors of the several States, re-
qucsting each in his respective State to appoint
committee to correspond with the Central Commit
tee, and to select from such articles as might be
submitted by the citizens of the State those most
suitable for the Exhibition for the final approval Of
the Central Committee. In compliance with this
request, State committees have been appointed by
the Governors of Massachusetts,, Mississippi, New
York, Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Mary
land, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, New Jersey, South Carolina, Alabama,
Delaware, North Carolina, Connecticut, Pennsy-
vania, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana,
Kentucky, Michigan, and Georgia.
Through these committees the citizens of the
United States have responded promptly to the in
vitation to place specimens of their natural pro-
auctions, ingenuity and skill, by the side of those
of the nations of the old world. From the reports
made from the States to the Central Committee, it
is believed that all the space allotted American
contributors, in the Exhibition rooms, will be re.
quired for the reception Of articles from this
country.
For the transmission of these articles, coastwise
and the Atlantic, the Secretaries of the
Treasury and the Navy have afforded every ia
cility within their control, and not nconsisten with
their duty. The public ship ordered by the Navy
Department for the conveyance of articles for the
Exhibition from the United States will take them
to England free of expense; but, when landed in
England, person is there to take charge of them,
and the duty of the officers and of the ship
that conveys them there will be at an end.
Some fthe exhibitors may be present themselves,
may have agents there; but many, especially
from the interior of country, will, when land
ed, be without owner claimant For the care of all
these provision has been made. Nor has any
agent been appointed to represent properly the in
terests of American citizens at the Exhibition, and
during its continuance
Some authorized persons should be on the spot to
superintend the arrangement and display of the
articles sent Besides, prizes are to be awarded,
and juries appointed, from the various nations, to
decide upon the comparative merits of the articles
exhibited. In these decisions the honor and the
pride of our country are interested. The fairness
of what may be done in all this is not questioned.
But as the interests of the citizens of other nations
will be represented there by commissioners appoint
cd for the purpose, the non representation of the
American interests cannot be otherwise than inju-
rious.
The members of the committee have cheerfuly
met all the expenses of time and of money necessa
rily incurred in carrying into effect the wishes of
the Government, expressed in the letter of the
Secretary of State of the 18th Of May last; but
it cannot be expected of them that they should also
pay the expenses of agents or commissioners to
present the interests of the country at the Exhbi-
ton
The committee is not fcreated body nor
did it emanate from any association of private citi
zens. II was formed in compliance with request
of the Secretary of State of the United States made
on the suggestion of the British Minister speaking
in the name of his government The committee
have no plan or object of their own to accomplish.
They were appointed to carry into effect, far as
possible, the wishes of the two Governments only.
Beyond this they have no desire to 60 In their
progress they have met with what appears to them
serious obstacle to satisfactory completion of
their abors. They cannot secure for the produc-
tions of the United States position favorable
that which has been secured for the productions of
other nations, and which only be secured by
the appointment of suitable persons to attend the
Exhibition.
Believing such an appointment to be indispensa-
bly, necessary for the interests and honor of the
country the undersigned submit, for the considera-
ton of the President, the necessity of providing
means to meet the expense attending it.
PETER FORCE
JOSEPH HENRY,
CHARLES WILKES,
WALTER II. JOHNSON
JOS. &. G.. KENNEDY,
Committee.
WAsnINGToS, Dec. 81, 1850.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 1851.
Colonel PETER FORCE,