The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-17


Pursuant 10 the notice given, thu Central Cosnnit
&c mete At the Of the National Institute, in ths
Patent Office, Thursday evening, the 18th instant
at O'Clock.
The meeting was called to order ~ H6t..or wal
ter r. johnson, on whose motion Col. >%kter Forc4
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 D,
the appointments Of the Hon. Willard Fillmore, Vice
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Pro
w aiter X. johnson Secretary.
AT the the request Of the Chairman, (Col Force, J
the following papers read by PROT johnson, ~
explanation of the appointment and duties oil The
committee:
STATE DEPARTMENT,
WAsBlNGroN, May II, 1850.
10 the President IF The National Institute
far the Promotion Of Science.
Sir: have the honor herewith to transmit co
pies OF correspondence which has taken place be-
zen the Minister Plenipotentiary OF her Majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain and this Department rca-
tive to the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
IN London In the year 1891.
From the circular Of the Royal Commissioners Of
Great Britain, hereto annexed it will be observed
all objects intended to be introduced from foreign
countries and entered ior that Exhibition required
TO have been first submitted to and approved by acsI
trail authority or commission al the country FROM
which they shall be brought, and that other will
he recognized central authority except such as
shall have been certified by the Government OF the
country in which il exists.
That American industry and arts may be enabled to
appear in the place allotted TO them, 1t will be mdis-
pensablc 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 habitualy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and sciences, is the
proper body Tor taking the initiative in constituting
such ceniral 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 Majestys Government,
and to request such action suggestions may seem
necessary in order that the natural productions, the
ingenuity, industry, and arts OF the United States
may he 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 was laid before the National
Institute, al! by it referred to select committee,
which brought forward the following report
Report Of the Committee u The National hsiitute
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-
unities of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
Aggreeaby to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles are to he 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 sent.
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 to take actor make sug
gestons relative to the 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-
spectfuly recommend the following resolution:
1. ResOlued, That the Institute will take action
on the subject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Resosrcd, That tho Institute do now proceed
to constitute committee suitable TO he recognised by
the Government central body to hold correspond
ence with the british Commissioners, and to secure
the reception OF American productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER X. JOHNSON, : &C mittee.
J. J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,