The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-04
THE GRAND INDUSTRIAL ExHIBI-
TiON OF 1851.
MEETING or THE CENTRAL cosiMIrTEE ron THE UNI
TED STATES.

Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete at 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 +. Stanbury
chosen Secretary of the meeting,
This temporary organization having been effected,
the committee proceeded to organize ermancntly by
the appointments of the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President of the United States, Chairman, and PROT
Walter r. johnson Secretary.
AT the the request of the Chairman, (Col. forceO
the following papers were read by Prof Johnson, in
explanation of the appointment and duties oil the
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, Nav 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 Plenpotentiary OF her Majesty
the Queen of Great Britain and this Department reia
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 IL 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 10y cen
trail authority commission of the country from
which they shall be brought, and that no other will
be recognized as central authority except such as
shall have been certified by the Government of the
country in Inch ii exists
That American industry and arts may be enabled 70
appear in the place allotted to them, il Will be ndis
pensable that recognized central authority should be
constituted and am under the impression that the
National Institute, having been regularly incorporated
by act of Congress, and being habtually engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and Sciences is the
proper body for taking the initiative in constituting
such central authority.
therefore ycg leave to submit to its consideration
he. md ri xyh has
brought to the attention Of this Department by the
distinguished Envoy of her Malesty's Government,
and to request such action or suggestions as may seem
necessary 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 M. CLAYTON.
This communication 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 are conceived to merit
he best eddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
unties of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeably 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 md the Arts directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary of State has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take actC' make sug
gesons relative to The fulfment 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 tins view, the committee re-
specially mend the following resoluno,.
/. Resolped That the Institute will take action
the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Ieso,rcd, That the Institute do proceed
to 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 oductons at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER X JOHNSON, Committee.
j. j. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,