The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-07

mEETIsc or THE CENTRAL CoMMITrEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.


Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee metc al the rooms of the National Institute, in the
Patent Office, 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 F. Stanbury
chosen Secretary OF the meeting.
This temporary organization having been effected,
the committee proceeded to organize permanently by
the appointments of the Hon. Miard Fillmore, Wee
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,
WAsHINoToN, NAV II, 1851
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 Plenipo.entiary OF her Majesty
the Queen of Great Britain and this Department reia-
tive to the proposed Industrial xhiihtlon to be held
in London in the year 1851.
From the circular of the Royal Commissioners oil
Great Britain hereto annexed it will be observed that
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered for that Exhibition are required
to have been first submitted TO and approved by can
trail authority or commission oil the couhtry from
which they shall be brought, and that other viii
shall have been certified BY the Government oil the
country in which ii exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled to
appear in the place allotted to then it will be inds-
pensable that recognized celtra authority should be
constituted; and am 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 i'll constituting
such central authority.
therefore beg leave to submit 10 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 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,
JOHN nj. CLAYTON.
This communication was laid before the National
Institute, al! 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:
| 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 eddcavors to procure for them the oppor
unitics Of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
hggrecably to the programme adopted by The Roy
al Commission, articles 10 be received from
Foreign Exhibitors except those which shall have
been approved by central authority, recognized
such by the Government of the country from which
they arc sent
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro-
otion Of Science and the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary of Stale has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take acto make sug
gesons to he GlGlmeut of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment OF such
central authority as the seems to require.
To this Noluntary proposal on the part of the Sec
rotary OF State, the committee consider the National
Institute in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with tins view, the committee
spcctfully recommend the following resolution
|. Res0lred, That the Institute Will take action
the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Rcscirod, That the Institute do proceed
to constitute committee suitable to be recognised by
the Government central body to hold correspond
| encc with the british Commissioners, and to secure
the reception of American productions at the proposed
| Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
| JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, Co mtee.
| J.J. GREENOUGH,
| CHARLES WILKES,