The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-15

MEETING OF rnE CENTRAL comMlrrEE soR tbs UNI
TED STATES


Pursuaa to the notice given, the Centrsl Commit
zee mete al the Of the National lnstute IN the
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th instant,
at O'Clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor al
ter X. Johnson, on whose motion Col fctcr oTce
was called to the Chair, and Charles r. Stanpury
chosen Secretary OF the meeting.
This temporary organization having been elected,
the committee proceeded TO organize permanently ny
the appointments OF the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President oil the United States, Chairman, and froi
w alter X. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request Of the Chairman, (Coi. Force,)
the following papers were read by Prof, Johnson IN
explanation Of The appointment and duties oil the
committee
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, May II, 1850
TO the President Of the National Institute
for the Promotion Of Science.
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 aud this Department rela-
tive TO the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London i'll 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 cen
trial authority or commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
be recognized a central authority except such
slall have been certified BY the Government Of the
country in " hich it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled 20
appear in the place allotted to them il will be inds-
pensablc 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 habitualy engaged
matters pertaining to the arts and scicuces, 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 OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy OF her Majesty's Government,
and To request such action suggestions
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 laid before the National
Institute, and by it referred to select committee
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee ~ 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
x
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.
Aggrccahly 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 il the appropriate body to take actio make sug
gest,ons relative to the fnlfent 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
spectlully recommend the following resoluhus
l. Resolred, That the Institute Will take action
the ubjcct submitted to ii by the Department Of
State.
2. Rcsc;rcd, That the Institute do now proceed
to 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 L.onaoa
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Committee
j. j. GREENOUGH,
CHAR LES WILKES,