The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-03

AEH oIAiA0'
Pursuant To the notice given, the Central Commit
ice Al the Of the National institute, IN the
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at 3 O'Clock
The meeting was called to order by Professor Wal
ter X. Johnson, whose motion Col. Peter Force
called TO the Chair, and Charles f. Stanbury
chosen Secretary Of the meeting.
This temporary organization having been effected,
the committee proceeded 10 organize permanently by
the appointments Of the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President Of the United States Chairman, and Prof.
w alter 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 National Institute
Jr the Promotion Of Science.
Sir: i have the honor herewith to transmit co.
tween the Minister Plenipotentiary 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 hrs submitted to and approved by aeon
trail authority or commission Ot the country from
which they shall be brought, and that other will
shall have been certified BY the Government OF the
country in which it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled "a
appear in the place allotted to tbem will be ndis
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted; and under the impression that the
National Institute having been regularly
by act Of Congress, and being habituaiy 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 beer
brought to the attention OF this Department by the
distinguished Envoy OF her Majesty's Government
and request such action or suggestions as 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,
m 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 qf the National Institute
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John M. Clay
ION, Secretary of State, relative to the formation
Of central authority for transmitting articles "a
the Industrial Exhibition to be held in London in
1851, offers the following report:
Il The committee impressed with the importance
Of tho 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-
anities Of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles to be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall hav.
been approved by central authority, recognized al
such by the Government Of the country from which
they sent rF
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro
oon Of Science and the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary OF State has deem
ed it the appropriate body take action or make sug
gesons the ful6lmcnt Of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment Of such
i central authority as the seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal on the part OF the Sec
rotary OF Statc the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond.
! In accordance with this view, the committee re-
spectfully recommend the following resolution:
/ 1. ResoIred, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted TO it by the Department Of
| State.
2. Resolved, 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 reductions at the proposed
| Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
| JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Committee.
]. j. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,
|