The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-21

MEEr,so or THE GENITAL COMMITTEE ros The 0H''
TED STATES.


Pursuant to the notice given the Central Commit
Zee mete Al the Of the National lnstieute IN the
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th inStan''
At o'clock.
The meeting was called TO order by Professor W al
ter r. johnson, on hose motion Col. feter + orcc
was called 10 the Chair, and Charlcs X. Stshbury
chosen Secretary Of the meeting.
This temporary organization having been elected,
the committee proceeded 10 organize permanently by
the appointment OF the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President OF the United States Chairman, and frof.
Walter Il. johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Coi Force0
the following papers read by Prot johnson, N
explanation of the appointment and duties oil the
committee
STATE DEpARrMENT,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850.
10 the President Of the National Institute
for the Promotion Of Science
SIR have the honor herewith to transmit co
pies Of a correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Pienipotcntiary OF her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rcla
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 for that Exhibition required
to have been first submitted TO and approved BY CEN
trail authority commission of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
be recognized central authority except such AZ
shall have been certified by the Government Of the
country in which il exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled 20
appear in the place allotted To them, il will be inds-
pensabc that recognized central authority should be
constituted and 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 beei
brought to the attention of this Department by the
distinguished Envoy Of her Msjesty's Government,
and to request such action suggestions as may seem
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 nj. 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 az 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 conceived to merit
he best cddeavors 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 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 action or make sug
gestons The fulment 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 OF the Sec
rotary Of State, the committee consider the National
| Institute in duty bound to respond
In accordance with this view, the committee
,pcctfully recomme nd the following resoluno.:
1. Resolped, That the Institute will take action
the ,ubject submitted to it by the Department OF
| State.
2. Rrsc;rrd, the Institute do now proceed
to constitute COM Tee suitable to be recognised by
the Government as ientral body to hold correspond
ence with the British Commissioners. and to
the reception Of american productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Committee
JJ. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,