The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-05
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL ExHIBI
TION OF 1851.
MEETING or THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.

MEETING or THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ron THE us,
TED STATES.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete al the Of the National Institute, in tn.
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at o'clock.
The meeting called to order by Professor Wal
ter X. johnson, on whose motion Col. Peter Force
was called to the Chair, and Charles r. Stanbury
chosen Secretary Of the meeting.
This temporary organization having been effected
the committee proceeded to organize permanently by
the appointments OF the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Prof
Walter 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 oil the
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WAsHiNGroN, 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 Plenipotentafy 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 to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that Exhibition required
to have been first submitted to and approved by con-
trail authority commission OF the country from
which they shall be brought and that other will
be recognized as central authority except such
shall 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, il will be indis
pensable that recognized central authority should BIZ
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 been
brought to the attention of this Department by the
Envoy of her Majesty's Government,
and to request such action suggestions may
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 ard by it referred to select committee
which brought forward the following report:
Report Of the Committee Of 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:
Hc IHlpTcSScu Win Tie 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-
nnities of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, 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 are 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
I'd it the appropriate body to take actor make sug
,estlons relative the ument Of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of such
central authority the to require.
TO this voluntary proposal on the part OF the Sec
etary OF State, the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
pectfuly recommend the following resolution:
1. ReSolpcd, That the Institute will take action
IN the subject submitted to it by the Department Of
State.
Q. Re2e;rcd, That the Institute do now proceed
he Government as central body to hold correspond
,nce with the British Commissioners, and to secure
he reception of American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER H, JOHNSON, Cr mittee !
J.J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,