The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-25


MEETING OF THE CENTRAL coss.nrrEx roR THE UNI.
TED sTATu.
Pursuant the notice given, the Genital Commit
zee mete al the Oh the National Institute in the
Patent Office, on Thursday evening" the 18th instant,
at 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 appointments OF the Hon. Willard Fillmore Vice
President OF the United States, Chairman, and Prof
Walter X. johnson Secretary
At the the request of the Chairman, Col ForceO
the following papers read by Prot. johnson, IN
explanation o. 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 Plenipotentiary OF her Majesty
the Queen Of Great Britain and this Department rela-
tive to the proposed Industrial Exhibition to be held
in London in the year 1851
From th@circuar of the Royal Commissioners Of
Great Britain hereto annexed ii will be observed that
all objeo1g intended to be introduced from foreign
countres'and entered for that Exhibition are required
to have been first submitted to and approved by con-
trail authority commission of the country from
which they shall be brought and that no other Will
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 70
appear in the place allotted to theni il will be lndis.
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 habually 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 or suggestions may seem
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 was laid before the National
institute, aud by it referred to a select committee,
which brought forward the following report:
Report Qf the, Committee Of The National Institute:
The special committee, to which was referred
the communication from the Hon. John Nj. 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, ofiersthe 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 al 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
otion 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
gesons relative the fulment of the wishes Of the
Royal Commissioners, by the establishment of such
central authority as the seems to require.
To this voluntary proposal on the part Of the Sec
rotary Of State, the committee consider the National
Insttut, in duty bound to respond.
In accordance with this view, the committee re-
specially recommend the following resolution
1. Resolped, That the Institute will take action
the ubject submitted to it by the Department OF
State.
2. Reeo!rcd, That the Institute do now 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 productions at the proposed
Industrial Exhibition in London.
PETER FORCE,
JOSEPH HENRY,
WALTER r. JOHNSON, CO mittee.
J.J. GREENOUGH,
CHARLES WILKES,