The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-14

mEETIsG or THE CENTRAL COhMiTTkE FoR the UNI
TED STATES.

mEErlsG or THE CENTRAL CoMMiTTkE ron THE uAA
TED STATES.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete a, the Of the National lnstute IN th<
Patent Office, ON Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter r. Johnson, ON whose motion Col. Peter Force
was called to the Chair, and Charles r. Stanoury
chosen Secretary of the meeting.
This temporary organization having been elected
the committee proceeded to organize permanently by
the appointments of the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
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, IN
explanation OF the appointment and duties OF 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 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 will be observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that Exhibition required
have been first submitted to and approved by
trail authority commission Of the country from
which they shall be brought, and chat other will
be recognized central authority except such as
sLal have been certified by the Government OF the
country in which it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled 70
appear in the place allotted to them it will be indis
pensable that recognized central authority should bc
constituted; and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly incorporated
by act of Congress- and being babtually engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such a 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 seem
necessary 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 a select committee
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee q} 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 are conceived to merit
he best eddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
uDities Of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggrceably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles are 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-
otion OF Science and the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary Of State has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take action make sug
gesons relative to the fument Of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners by the establishment OF such
central authority the seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal on the part OF the Sec
rotary oil State, the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
specially recommend the following resolution:
1. Resolped That the Institute Will take action
the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Reeo'rcd, Thai 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
the reception of American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER II. JOHNSON, ! Committee
j. j. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,