The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-17


mErrlxs or THE CENTRAL conesssrrxx ron THE UAa
TED STATES.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Coaamit
Zee mete II the Of the National (nstute In th<
Patent Odice, Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at O'Clock.
The meeting WAS called to order by Professor Wal
ter II. Johnson, on whose motion Col Peter Force
was called TO the Chair, aud Charles +. 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 X. 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 II, 1850
To the President Of the .Nationa! Institute
for the Promotion Of Science.
Sir: l have the honor herewith to transmit co.
PIES OF correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Plenpotentary 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 Britain, hereto annexed it will be observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered Tor that Exhibition required
to have been first submitted to and approved by
trial authority or commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
be recognized as central authority except such
sLall 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 them, it will be nds
pesable 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 ha6itualy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and sciences, 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 bec
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
ingenuity, industry, and arts Of the United States
may be fully and suitably represented on 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 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 central authority for transmitting articles to
the Industrial Exhibition to DO 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.
ASgrceably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles to be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
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
ed the appropriate body to take action make sug
sestons relative to the ulment of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the blishment 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-
spcctfully recommend the following resolution:
l. Resolred, That the Institute will take action
ON the subject submitted to it by the Department Of
State.
2. Resc.rcd, 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.J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,