The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06
THE GRAND INpUsTRIAL ExHIBI'
TION OF 1851.
MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE foa THE UNI
TED STATES.

MEETING OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE Foa THE UNI
TED STATES.
Pursuant to the notice given, the Central Commit
zee mete al the Of the National lnstute 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 fermanchtiy by
the appointments 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. Force, y
the following papers read by Prof. johnson, IN
explanation Of the appointment and duties OF 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 correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the Minister Plenpotentiary oil her Majesty
the Queen of Great Britain and this Department rea
tive 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 are required
to have been first submitted to and approved by con-
trail authority or 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 inds-
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 habitualy engaged in
matters pertaining to the arts and scieuces, 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 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, ana by it referred to a 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 cddeavors to procure for them the oppor-
unties of being adequately represented in the
great Industrial Exhibition at London.
hggreeably to the programme adopted by the Roy
al Commission, no articles to 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 sent.
This Institute being the only Society Tor the Pro
oton OF Science and the Arts, directly incorporated
by the Government the Secretary of State has deem
cd it the appropriate body to take actio, make sug
gestIons the ulflment 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
spcctfully recommend the following resolution
I. Res0iued, That the Institute will take action
the subject submitted to il by the Department OF
State.
2. Res0'rcd, That the Institute do now proceed
to constitute 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 productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, &c mittce
J.J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,