The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-03

MEETING OF THE GENITAL COMMITTEE FOR THE UNI
TED 6TATEs.

TIOM or 1861.
TED STATES
Pursuan to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete al the rooms 81 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, 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 permanently by
the appo ntnens OF the Hon Willard Fillmore, Vice
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Prot
Walter X. Johnson Secretary.
At the the request of the Chairman, Col torce)
the following papers read by Prof johnson, In
explanation of the appointment and duties oil 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 the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851. t
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 are required
to have been first submitted to and approved by CEN
trail authority commission OF the country from
which they shall be brought, and that no other VIII
be- recognized central authority except such as
shall have been certified by the Government OF the
country in which it exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled to
appear in the place allotted to them it will be ndis
pensabe 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 habitually 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
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 M. CLAYTON.
This communication laid before the National
Institute, aL4 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
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 eddeayors to procure for them the oppor-
unites OF being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeably 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 are sent.
This Institute being the only Society for the Pro
otion Of Science md the Arts, directly incorporate
by the Government, the Secretary of State has deem
ed it the appropriate body to take acto' make sug
gestIons relative to he ument 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 this view the committee re-
spectfully recommend the following resolution
l.. Iksoiped, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
9. Reso'red, That the Institute do now proceed
the Government central body to hold correspond
ence with the4British Commissioners, and to secure
the reception OF American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER R. JOHNSON, &c mttcc.
J. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,