The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-21


anKTlsa or THE CENTRAL commlrrEG ron the UNI
TED STATES.
| Pursuant To the notice given, the Central Commit
zoe the OF the National Institute, IN tn
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th instant
| al o'clock
The meeting was called 10 order by Professor w al
ter X. johnson, on whose motion Col Peter Fore
was called to the Chair, and Charles f. Stsnbur.
chosen Secretary OF the meeting.
This temporary organization having been effected
the committee proceeded to organize permanently D.
the appointments OF the Hon. Willard FILLMORE, Vic
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Prof.
| Walter H. Johnson Secretary.
| AT the the request of the Chairman, (Col. Force,
the following papers read by Prof. johnson, II
explanation OF the appointment and duties oil Tn
committee
STATE DEPARTMENT,
| WASHINGTON, Nav II, 1850.
10 The President Of the National Institute
for the Promotion Of Science. f
Sir: l have the honor herewith to transmit co
pies OF a correspondence which has taken place be
tween the Minister Plenipotentiary 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 10 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 no other will
be recognized central authority except such as
sial 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 ndis
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted and under the impression that the
National Institutes having been regularly incorporated
by act Of Congress, and being babitually engaged in
matters pertaining to the nrts 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 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 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 qfMe Committee Of the National Institute:
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John NJ 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.
Aggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, 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 are sent. ~ ~
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro-
oton of Science and the Arts, directly incorporated
by the Government, the Secretary of State has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take actio make sug-
gesons relative to the fulflment of the wishes of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of such
central authority as the case seems to require
To this voluntary proposal 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 recommen nd the following resolution
l. Resolred, That the Institute Will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Received, 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.