Art.1er.Un exemplaire papier fin du grand ouvrage de l'Égypte est donné à l'Institut national des États-Unis d'Amérique.Art.2.Notre ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur est chargé de l'exécution de la présente ordonnance.Au palais des Tuileries, le 5 avril 1846.Signé: LOUIS-PHILIPPE.Par le roi:Le ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,SignéT. Duchatel.Pour ampliation:Le sous-secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,A. Passy.Such are the feelings towards the establishment of the system of international literary exchanges in France; as for those of your own country, although each one of you is already acquainted with the warm sympathy with which my proposals were received, while in the U.S., yet I thought it well to publish the following documents showing not only the continuation but the increased favor bestowed upon my humble efforts in the consolidation of this additional link so well adapted to strengthen more and more our fraternal union, but as a stimulus for those states who have not yet entered into this enlightened and peaceful confederacy, and to bring forth the true character of this generous nation, whose love for the propagation of knowledge would prevent her from shrinking from any sacrifices calculated for the improvement of the human race.STATE OF MARYLAND.RESOLUTIONSAdopted by the first and second branches of the city council of Baltimore and submitted for the approval of the Mayor, February 26th, 1844.Resolved by the mayor and city council of Baltimore, That the thanks of the city of Baltimore be, and are hereby presented to the city of Paris for the splendid donation of books which have been presented by the said city to the city of Baltimore. She cordially reciprocates the sentiment that such testimonials presented bythe cities of Franceto those of theUnited States, have a favorable effect on litterature and science and on the fine arts, and on the sympathy and ancient friendship so happily existing between the United States and France.Resolved, That the following books and maps be presented in the name of the city of Baltimore to the city of Paris, as a testimonial of the sense entertained of the friendship of the said city in presenting sundry valuable books to the city of Baltimore.And be it resolved that the chairman of the committee be authorised by and with the approbation of the mayor, to draw on the Register for the sum necessary to carry the foregoing resolution into effect.T. Yates Walsh, president, first branch.Robert Howard, president, second branch.STATE OF MAINE.Resolveto promote Mutual Literary and Scientific Exchanges with Foreign Countries.Resolved, That there be hereafter fifty additional copies of each volume of laws, resolves, and public documents printed by order of the Legislature, be printed and bound for the purpose of exchange in foreign countries[1].Resolved, That the Governor be authorized to transmit any of the above extra copies to the agents of foreign countries in the United States, authorized to receive the same for the above purpose, and that he be further authorized to make exchange of the same.Resolved, That a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars be appropriated from the Treasury, for the collection and exchange of original specimens of natural history and productions of useful art, to be expended under the direction of the Governor for the purpose aforesaid.In the House of Representatives, March 19, 1841. Read and passed,Josiah S. Little, Speaker.In Senate March 20, 1841.R. H. Vose, President.March 20, Approved,Edward Kent.Resolvesauthorizing the appointment of an agent of international exchanges with foreign countries.Resolved, That the Governor, with the advice and consent of the council, is hereby authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the state of Maine, for the purpose of receiving and transmitting to and from the secretary of state, all such books, documents and other objects of international exchange as may be directed to his care in pursuance of certain «resolves to promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries» approved March twentieth, eighteen hundred and forty one. «Resolves in favor of the American Athenæum» at Paris, approved March twenty second, eighteen hundred and forty three.Resolved, That the Governor and council are hereby authorized to audit and allow all necessary charges of such agent for receiving, packing up, carriage and exportation of said objects of international exchange; provided the sum shall not exceed three hundred dollars; and the Governor is hereby authorized todraw his warrant upon the treasurer, for the payment of such charges, out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated.In the House of Representatives, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.David Dunn, Speaker,In the Senate, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.John W. Dana, President.March 22, 1844. Approved,H. J. Anderson.To Alexander Vattemare, of the city of Paris, kingdom of France, greeting.In conformity with the provisions of a Resolve of the Legislature of this state, entitled «Resolve authorizing the appointment of an Agent of international exchanges with foreign countries» Approved March twenty second, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, I have, with the advice and consent of the executive council of Maine, appointed you an Agent to execute any and all of the duties required by said Resolve, and as contemplated in your communication to the executive of this state, under date of October tenth, eighteen hundred and forty three.H. J. Anderson.(L. S.)By the Governor,Witness, Hugh J. Andersonour Governor, and the seal of the state hereunto affixed this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and of the independence of the United States the sixty eighth.Philip C. Johnson,Secretary of state.STATE OF MICHIGAN.Preamble and joint resolutions relative to Mons. Vattemare's system of international literary exchanges.WhereasMons. Alexandre Vattemare, a citizen of France, has with an unexampled zeal devoted his time, his energies and his fortune to the philanthropic effort of establishing an intellectual confederacy among the nations of the earth;And Whereashis system of international literary exchanges is not only promotive of science and the improvement of literature and the arts, but is also conducive to the fraternization of governments and the diffusion of civilization through out the globe;And Whereasthe project has been approved by the chambers and ministers of France, by the congress of the United States and the legislatures of several of the States, and by the statesmen and literati of both nations,Be it thereforeresolvedthe senate and house of representatives of the state of Michigan that in greatful acknowledgment of his desinterested labors in the cause of humanity and for the valuable works presented by him to the state, the thanks of the people of Michigan are respectfully tendered to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare by the representatives of the people in legislature convened.Resolvedthat his excellency the governor be and he hereby is authorized and requested to receive the parcel of books transmitted by Mons. Vattemare through Lewis Cass Jr. Esqr. to the state of Michigan and also the parcel consigned to E. Thayer and Co., forwarding merchants in the city of New-York, and to place the same in the state library.Resolvedthat his excellency be and he hereby is further authorized and requested to transmit to Mons. Vattemare a copy of the revised statutes and session laws of the state of Michigan together with the journals and documents of both houses of the legislature and such maps of the several counties as are now completed.Resolvedthat the state geologist be and he hereby is authorized and requested to examine and report to the next legislature what duplicate specimens of the natural history of Michigan are in his department of the University.Resolvedthat our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives be requested to use their best efforts to obtain the appointment of Mons. Alexandre Vattemare as an agent of the general government to act in behalf of this state, with power to conduct literary exchanges between France and the United States.Resolvedthat his excellency be and he is hereby requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions and the report of the committee on education to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare and to each of our senators and representatives in congress.Edwin N. Lothrop,Speaker of the house of representatives.Edwin M. Curt,President of the senate, (pro tem).Approved, March 12, 1844.Jno. S. Barry.STATE OF ILLINOIS'S.Historical Society, Upper Alton III, August 15th, 1844.ToA. Vattemare, esqr.Dear sir,..........On the 24 July your letter and communication for the governor of the state were both read and afforded much gratification. Thanks were voted to the liberal donor the marquis de Pastoret for his present of books, "Histoire de la législation des peuples". The society feel greatly indebted to you for the interest you have exhibited in its prosperity and advancement.Mr. senator Brease delivered an address of three hours length before the society, describing Lasalle's discoveries and the labors of the French missionaries among the Indians in this state 150 years ago.He was directed to transmit your communication to the governor and urge its importance upon the legislature. A strong impulse was given us by your zeal and our hopes greatly encouraged.We shall soon make up a box for you of minerals—lead ore from Galena and the South part of the state—Coal—specimens of rocks and boulders found on our large praries, and if possible, a prarie hen or grouse as the English call it, etc., etc.Respectfully,Adiel Sherwood.Corresponding Secretary.DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.War Department, Washington, December 30th, 1844.Sir,I had the honor on the 1st of november to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th of September last, presenting to this department in the name of M. Dumon, minister ofpublic works, the beautiful and interesting geological map of France, and at the same time I desired you to convey to M. Dumon the thanks of the department for so valuable an acquisition to its library.Your desinterested and persevering efforts to establish a system of international exchanges of works of science and art are duly appreciated in our country. The results of those efforts we have all witnessed with great admiration in the fine engravings and rare books and medals, the contribution and donations of some of the highest and most meritorious men of France to the library and museum of the National Institute.Allow me, in the name of this department to send to your care a complete series of an illustrated history of the Indian tribes of North-America exhibiting likenesses of their most distinguished leaders, which you will please to present to the minister of public works with the assurance of my distinguished consideration and regard.Your obedient servant,Wm. Wilkins,Secretary of War.AlexandreVattemare, Esq.;Paris.From the Honorable Reverdy Johnson, U.S. senator from Maryland.Senate chamber, February 18, 1846.My dear Sir,I have just had the gratification of receiving your letter of the 28th of January. From the manifestation already evinced by this body, I am sure that they will liberally meet all your wishes about the exchanges.Just before I got your letter they passed unanimously a resolution providing that the librarian of Congress transmit to the Minister of Justice of France "acomplete series of the reports of all the decisions of the supreme court of the U.S., and of the circuit and district courts thereof, and a complete copy of the public statutes of the United States," and making an ample provision for executing it. This resolution will no doubt receive the sanction of the House of representatives.Your presents to the National Institute I received and delivered, paying all the charges. Any other gift which you may wish to forward to me will be gratefully received.I hope that the day is now come when your spirit will animate the enlightened men of both Nations and Sciences, and the Arts be found the leading objects of all.Not despairing of having again the pleasure of seeing you, I am truly your friend,Reverdy Johnson.From the Hon. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.March 21 st 1846.Sir,I have at length the pleasure of announcing to you that congress have passed a resolution authorising the transmission and presentation to the minister of justice of France of the reports of the decisions in all of the different courts of the United States as far as they have been published since the foundation of the Government; together with a copy of the laws passed by congress. Inclosed I send you a copy of the resolution, wich was passed unanimously.There is now preparing under the authority of congress, a new edition of the laws of the United States much more complete and satisfactory than any heretofore published, which is not yet quite ready for delivery. And as I wish to send all of the books at the same time I shall delay the transmission of the reports, until I can send with them this new edition of the acts of congress. They will however I hope be ready in a month or two; and I shall take much pleasure in transmitting them with the reports as early as practicable.You know how much I have regretted the delay in acknowledging the courtesy of the minister of Justice of France, by a suitable return. But feel assured that he as well as yourself will impute it to accidental causes wich I have heretofore explained.With great respect, I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,R. B. Taney.Mr.Alexandre Vattemare, Paris.TWENTY-NINTHE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,At the First session, begun and held at the city of Washington, on monday the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.A resolution, to authorise the transmission and presentation of books to the minister of justice of France, in exchange for books received from him.Resolved, by the senate and house of Representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, that the librarian of congress be, and he hereby is, authorised and directed to procure a complete series of reports of all the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, and of the circuit and district courts thereof, wich have been heretofore published; as also a complete copy of the Public Statutes at Large of the United States, now being edited by Richard Peters, esq, by authority of congress, the whole to be uniformly bound and lettered, and to cause the same under the direction of the chief justice of the said Supreme Court, to be transmitted and presented to the minister of justice of France, in return and exchange for works of French Law heretofore presented by the minister to the Supreme Court aforesaid.Section 2.And be it further Resolved, that for the purpose aforesaid, there be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars.John W. Davis,Speaker of the house of Representatives.G. M. Dallas,Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate.Approved, March 4 th, 1846.James K. Polk.The National Institute.From an article in the New-York Review of September, 1845, by the Hon. Joseph Ingersoll, Senator from Pennsylvania.In the beginning of the year 1842, an intercourse was opened which has been already productive of rich results, and may in the future confer immense advantages. Dr. Linn, of the United States Senate, sent to theSchool of Mines, of Paris, a specimen of oxide of iron taken from the iron mountain of Missouri. It was done at the request of Mr. Alexandre Vattemare, of that city, who had not a great while before visited Washington, and communicated to Dr. Linn, and through him to the "National Institution," the letter of Mons. Dufresnoy, "Chief Engineer and Directorof the Royal School of Mines." It is declared to be the ornament of their collections. In the name of the Council of the School he returns thanks "for this magnificent specimen," which he pronounces, notwithstanding its almost gigantic dimensions, (sixty-six millimetres in diameter,) complete in all its parts. Besides its interest in a mineralogical point of view, he adds that the present of Mr. Linn is highly esteemed by them, because it commences the system of exchange which Mr. Vattemare had sought to establish between all the nations of the new and the old continents, and which he says alone can secure the completion of their collections. From the period when this correspondence took place, Mr. Vattemare seems to have devoted his intelligent and active mind to this object. He has been the means of procuring and forwarding to Washington a perpetual supply of splendid and valuable productions. His countrymen are always on the march of improvement in the various departments of the elegant arts. Every description of magnificent engraving has been communicated. Box after box of books has come from him in unmeasured profusion. It would be endless to recapitulate the objects of his friendly contribution. They are referred to emphatically because they have especially served to set in motion that system of exchange, without which nothing can be completely deserving of the name of a collection. That Mr. Vattemare does not weary in his efforts needed no new proof. As lately as the 9th of June, 1845, he announces that he has received for the National Institute, from M. Le Brun, Peer of France, Director of the Royal Printing-office, etc., the complete collection of the Journal des Savans, from 1816 to 1845, twenty-nine quarto volumes, bound. "This most interesting and valuable collection," he says, "was last year granted to the National Institute at the request of M. Le Brun, by the Minister of Justice, etc. M. Le Brun has also sent to me a copy of his works, to be presented to the Institute as a token of his friendship and good wishes. From the War department of France, a complete collection of all the documents and works, illustrated with a great number of maps, etc., of the French possessions in North Africa, including the neighboring States, viz., the Empires of Morocco, Tunis, etc., published by order and under the superintendence of the Minister of War—sixteen volumes, folio, quarto, and octavo. From the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, twenty-five works on Agriculture and Commerce. From the Minister of the Interior, a beautiful collection ofbronze medals, commemorative of national events, from 1830 to 1844 inclusive. From M. M. Flourens, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, Member of the Académie Française, etc., his last two works. From M. M. Barre and Danton, sculptors, two beautiful little statues, one of the late Duc d'Orleans, the other of Miss Adélaide Kemble as Norma. From M. Picot, Member of the Academy of Fine Arts, etc., twofine engravings, taken from two of his pictures. From the Société Séricicole, (founded in 1838, for the encouragement and promotion of silk manufacturing in France,) the complete collection of its annals from its foundation to the present year—nine volumes, octavo." "All the above works, with many others, are heaped up, and occupy so much room in my office, that I can scarcely move about in it, and this number is daily increasing." One is impressed with mingled feelings of pleasure and mortification at reading this letter, for while it thus exhibits a prolific interest in the Institute, it unfolds in the following paragraph how little is the encouragement or gratitude for his substantial friendship and zeal:"It is a matter of great distress to me not to have it in my power to defray all the expenses of packing, of custom-house dues, commissions, and transportation from Paris to Washington, but I really cannot do it. Recollect that since 1839 to the present time, I have devoted all my time, industry and fortune, to the exclusive object of establishing an intellectual union between Europe and America; thatI have never received the slightest pecuniary assistance from my own country; and that the first and only encouragement of that character ever vouchsafed to me was the amount oftwo hundred dollars, so generously subscribed last year by the members of the National Institute, and two hundred and fifty dollars (out of three hundred) voted by the State of Maine. For the maintenance of an agency in Paris for national literary interchanges, the State of Massachusetts, stimulated by an enlightened and patriotic spirit, voted, during the last session of its Legislature, a like most generous allocation. Were all her sister States to follow so noble an example, by voting a small sum, according to their population and their intellectual wants, a fund might easily be established, amply sufficient to cover all the expenses incurred in maintaining an United States scientific and literary agency in Paris, the benefits of which would be incalculable."On this vital point (of exchanges) a report was made in February, 1842, by Mr. Markoe, the accomplished and indefatigable Corresponding Secretary. It exhibits the very great importance of them, as entering essentially into the plan of every society constituted like this and having like objects in view, and it shows that no occasion has been omitted to acquaint societies and individuals, whose correspondence has been sought or offered, that a system of general exchanges would be entered upon as soon as a plan should be matured. Under that assurance, and independently of it also, (it is added) valuable collections of various kinds have already been received, which render it incumbent on the directors to redeem the pledge that has been given. For this object the members are informed that they have already in hands the most abundant materials, which were increasing, and would continue to increase every day.STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.Secretary's office. Harisburg Oct. 25th 1844.To Alexandre Vattemare esq.Sir,I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th september last, addressed to the Honorable A. V. Parsons secretary of this Commonwealth, informing him that in November 1842 and January 1843, you had transmitted to his Excellency David R. Porter for the library of this State certain valuable books obtained from the ministers of the several departments of the French government, and desiring an Acknowledgement of their receipt.It is a cause of sincere regret that your Kind attention and that of the heads of the departments of the government of France has not since received the acknowledgement which it so highly merits. This has not been owing to an improper appreciation of its value, but to circumstances which I trust are sufficient to exculpate the government of this state from the charge of wilful neglect.The books transmitted in 1842 arrived here at the time that Mr Persons was about to retire from the office of secretary of state. They were placed in the state's library and upon my assuming the duties or the office in february 1843 their receipt did not come under my observation. Those sent in January et February 1843remained in the custom houseat New-York until a short time ago when they were forwarded by the collector of Customs at Philadelphia, who had received information that they were remaining in New-York. When these arrived they were immediatly placed in the state's library, there was not any letter accompanying them stating by whom they had been forwarded.I request that you will receive this explanation and if you deem it necessary, communicate it to the ministers of the departments of France interested in it. It is desired that the ministers may not entertain the belief that their attention is improperly understood by the authorities of this state.It is hoped that our legislature stimulated by a sense of your very valuable efforts will adopt measures to reciprocate the kindness and aid in your laudable exertion to promote the friendship at present happily existing between the people of France and those of the United States.Annexed is a list of the books received from Paris and in the library of the state.Agreeable to your request I send herewith letters of acknowledgement, addressed to the ministers of finances, war, navy, justice and commerce.I have the honor to be, with profound regard your obedient servant.Chas. McClure,Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,In the year one thousand eight Hundred and forty Five.Resolvesto promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries.Resolvedthat the secretary of the commonwealth, under the direction of his Excellency the Governor, be authorized to exchange copies of the state map of Massachusetts, not exceeding twenty in number, and bound copies of the laws and legislative documents of the commonwealth for the current political year, not exceeding fifty volumes of each for books and other works of science and art from foreign countries, to be deposited in the library of the general Court. And the secretary is hereby authorized to cause fifty copies of each of the said documents for every future year to be printed over and above the number to be bound in volumes and set aside for the purpose of effecting therefore said exchanges hereafter[2].Resolvedthat his Excellency the Governor be authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the commonwealth, in transmitting to, and receiving from the secretary's office all such books and other works of science and art, as may be addressed to his care, in pursuance of the object of the preceding resolve, and to audit and allow all reasonable charges of said agent, for the receiving, packing carriage and exportation of said objects of exchange;provided, that the total sum so expended, shall not exceed three hundred dollars.House of Representatives, February 26, 1845. Passed.Saml H. Walley Jr., Speaker.In Senate, February 27, 1845. Passed.Levi Lincoln, President.February 27, 1845.Approved.Geo. N. Briggs.Secretary's office, March 15, 1845.A true copy.Attest.John G. Palfrey,Secretary.My dear Sir,I send you herewith a copy of Resolves passed by our legislature at its present session.I have it in charge from his excellence the Governor to say that he requests you to accept the appointment of agent under the second of the resolves, and that he has no doubt that this commonwealth will derive important benefits from your enlightened and liberal exertions."I am, dear sir, with the highest regardYour friend and servant,John G. Palfrey,Secretary of the commonwealth.ToA. Vattemare, Esq.Paris,France.STATE OF VIRGINIA.Executive Department, Richmond Virginia, August 19, 1845.Sir,Your letter of the 28th December last to the Governor of Virginia has been placed in my hands and will be submitted to thecommittee of the Legislature on the state library at its annual meeting in December next.This Institution, founded by the state for the use of several departments of the government comprises the departments of Law, literature, science and arts. It is under the direction of the Legislature through a committee of both houses, and possesses the following works which have been published by the state, and which are occasionally interchanged with other states, and public institutions, viz:The statutes at large being a collection of all the laws of Virginia from the year 1619 to 1808, in 16 volumes;Laws of a later date;Reports of the state convention in 1776;Journals of the legislature from 1776 to 1790 and from 1831 to the present time, a map of Virginia published in 1826, and consequently at this day incomplete, yet probably valuable for your purpose.The geological survey of the state has been completed and will probably be published in the course of another year.If any of or all these publications would be acceptable to you, authority will be given for exchanging them upon the terms indicated in your letter, and I shall be happy to be the organ of communication in this interchange should you think proper to transmit any publications equivalent: so far at least as the before stated collections of the library institution will supply it.At any event I shall be gratified by having it in my power to lay before the committee any communication you may think proper to address to me.I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,Wm H. Richardson,Secretary of the com. of Virginia, and ex officio librarian.STATE OF NEW-YORK.From the Regents of the university of the state, trustees of the State Library.Albany, June 21, 1845.M. Alex. Vattemare,Dear sir,I had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th April on the 1st of June and two days since I received the books mentionedin it. I have replied as directed by the regents to M. the Count de Salvandy and must ask you to present the letter to him.The legislature of this state adjourned about the middle of May, the laws, journals and documents of the two houses which are now directed by an act passed this session, to be sent to the government of France (duplicate copy), have not yet come from the hands of the printers and binders—probably it may be two months, before they are completed, as indexes are to be compiled for each; but as soon as I receive them (and it is my duty by law to forward them), they shall be sent.Meanwhile I have collected from the various departments a few publications which I trust may be interesting. They are, as you are probably aware, not for sale and of course cannot readily be obtained out of this city. I send parcels for the minsters ofpublic instruction, offinances, ofagriculture and commerce, ofjusticeand of themarine.There is a law of the state directing the presentation of the volumes of the natural history of the state of New-York, to foreign governments and bodies and persons making donations to the state library. The governor and secretary of state are charged with this duty. I had an interview with these gentlemen during the present week and they assured me that they would in a few weeks at most, give the necessary directions for their transmission. Of course, a copy will be sent to his majesty and another to the royal library of France. And I have reason to suppose that copies will be sent to several of the ministers who have made donations through you. Certainly, to count de Salvandy. I have no doubt but every thing will be done in a manneer acceptable to you[3].I am extremely happy to learn that you have for us a copy of the judicial statistics of France. This is a most valuable donation. That of the Count de Salvandy is a splendid one and will be duly noticed to the Legislature, when they meet in 1846.The regents of the University deeply feel their indebtedness to you for your kindness in forwarding.I have honour to remain with respect, your truly,J. Romeyn Beck,Secretary.Mercantile Library Association, Clinton Hall. New-York, November 24th, 1845.Dear Sir,I am greatly pleased at being able to state that the books for the city of Paris have at length been forwarded by our city council through M. Edward Bossange, and I trust they may reach their destination in safety.They have been bound in uniform style and form a handsome collection. The survey of this state, which forms a part of it, is a fine work. I trust that the delay which has ocurred may leave no unfavorable impression in the minds of the gentlemen composing the council of the city of Paris.I have urged forward the sending as much as proper and M. Valentine, the clerk of our city council, has taken an active interest in the matter. All have desired to make the collection worthy of the distinguished body for whom it is designed, and it has been found necessary to delay some time until certain books could be procured not readily met with.A communication from the mayor of the city accompanies the books.I have taken the liberty of sending with them two copies of the catalogue of our library, one for yourself and one for the city council of Paris, and also a small packet addressed to yourself containing a number of letters of acknowledgement for the works you kindly forwarded to our association.With sentiments of the highest respect I remain,Your most obedient servant,H. K. Bull,Corresponding secretary.STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND.Brown University, Providence, January, 29th, 1846.Dear Sir,...... Your letter to the Governor has been received, presented to the legislature and referred to the committee on education. Thechairman of the committee, M. Goddard, formerly a professor in our college, presented a report with resolutions thanking you for your generous exertions, and particularly for your handsome presents, and voting several extra copies of all reports and documents published by the state and authorising the governor to pay all charges that may occur for the packing up and transportation of said books and any others to be sent to us from Paris, through your agency. This was carried through the House and the senate unanimously and it is I believe the only question which has been decided unanimously in our legislature for a long time......You will probably receive the report and the votes, by this steamer or the next.The Rhode Island-Historical Society have also passed votes of thanks and resolutions in favor of your project which you will receive soon.As to the books I shall make up a box and forward it to you as soon as I can.I write in great haste at the last moment before closing of the mail thinking it better to write an unfinished account of the affairs than to keep you longer in suspense.I beg your to believe me with the greatest respect,Your obedient servant,C. C. Jewett.Mr. A. Vattemare.COMPARATIVEOf the Scientific Exchange between France and AmericaSent from FRANCE to America.FromHis Majesty Louis Philippe I20volumes.——Her Royal Highness Madame Adelaide5medals.——The Chamber of Peers150volumes.——The Chamber of Deputies200———His Excellency Minister of Justice and Divine Worship250———— —— —— War50———— —— —— —60maps.——— —— —— Navy and Colonies150volumes.——— —— —— —— ——334maps.——— —— —— Interior200volumes.——— —— —— ——50medals.——— —— —— Commerce and Agriculture259volumes.——— —— —— Public Instruction60———— —— —— Public Works534———— —— —— —— ——33maps.——— —— —— —— ——2medals.——— —— —— Finances128volumes.——the City of Paris200———— Director General of Customs69———— Royal Library10———— —— ——36engravings.——— —— ——40maps.——— —— Academy of Sciences50volumes.——— —— —— — Moral and Political Sciences12———— —— —— — Medecine6———— —— —— — Sciences and fine Arts at Rouen46———— —— Museum of Natural History (specimens of minerals)2cases.——— —— And Central Agricultural Society156volumes.——— —— Geological Society of France13———M. Edward Alletz, Consul general at Genoa18———the Sericicle Society27———M. Barre, sculptor2statuettes.——M. Bovy1medal.——The Viscount de Cormenin, Deputy5volumes.——M. de Chaucheprat2———Lieut. General de Cubières1———M. Dantan1statuette.——Count Daru, Peer10volumes.——M. A. Denis, deputy10———M. A. Deville, President of the R. A. de Rouen16———Baron Charles Dupin, Peer17———M. Durat La Salle3———M. Duvergier de Hautranne, Deputy4———M. Dubufe1engraving.——M. Milne Edwards4volumes.——M. Elie de Baumont1———M. Estancelin, Deputy6———Faugère2———Count de Gasparin, Peer2———M. Gayrard1statue.——M. Jubinal10volumes.——Count d'Hauterive, Deputy10———Viscount Hericart de Thury10———M. Jomard6———M. Jal6portraits.——M. Laurentie10volumes.——Count de Las Casas, Deputy3———Count Leon de Laborde12———M. Le Brun, Peer4———M. Ledru-Rollin, Deputy4———M. L'Herbette, deputy25———Count de Marcellus1———M. Guerin Melville6———M. Nisard, Deputy2———M. D'Orbigny2———— —10maps.——M. Hippolyte Passy, Peer4volumes.——The Marquis de Pastoret, Deputy60———— —— — —— ——4engravings.——— —— — —— ——6medals.——M. de Remusat, Deputy2volumes.——Baron de Schauenburg, Deputy4————M. Amedee Thierry6———M. Thomas6———M. Ravaisson2———M. Alexandre Vattemarre16———M. Vitet, Deputy5———M. Champollon Figeac6———M. Faustin Hélie2———M. Michel Chevalier, Deputy2———M. Wolowski—===============3,488objects.===============Recapitulation.Volumes.2,894Maps.477Engravings.48Pieces of Sculpture.3Medals.64Cases of Minerals.2TABLEFrom February1845,to May15th, 1846.Sent from AMERICA to France.Fromthe Federal Government (War Department)15volumes.————————12maps.———National Institute, Washington25volumes.———Legislature of the State of Maine94————— —————3maps.———— —————1herbal.———— —————(specimens of minerals)4cases.———— ———Massachusetts195volumes.———— ————— ——20maps.———Hon. John G. Palfrey23volumes.———Mercantile Library Ass'n1————Hon. Josiah Quincy2————M. Bowen20———M. B. P. Poore10———the Legislature of the State of New-York200——————————10maps.———Corporation of the City of New-York18volumes.—————————2maps.———N. Y. Mercantile Library association2volumes.———Corporation of the city of Baltimore16——————————3maps.———Brantz Mayer, Esq.1volume.———Legislature of the State of Indiana512————Hon. Henry Ledyard, Esq., of Michigan1maps.———Professer James C. Cross, of Kentucky1volume.———Government of Texas10————Hon. Ashbel Smith3————Prof. S. F. B. Morse of New-York1———M. Alfred Vail of Philadelphia1———M. Hermann E. Ludwig of New-York1———M. Vauzand10—(I do not mention books which I have been officiallyinformed, are on their way here from Congress, and the statesof Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Michigan,Illinois, Indiana, etc., in accordance with recent laws andresolutions, as the number of volumes is in no instance given.)Fromthe Government of Canada60volumes.============1,267objects.============Recapitulation.1,211Volumes.51Maps.4Cases of Minerals.1Herbal.Making a total amount of 4,749 objects exchanged through the Agency in the course of the past sixteen months between France and North America.—The Hon.Secretary of war, the states ofMaine,Massachusetts,New-York, andIndianawith the cities ofBaltimoreandNew-York, being the only respondents to my call,by transmitting important works and voting generous allocations to pay the necessory expenses. From these facts, all can see what the operations of the scheme have been, and judge what important results may be confidently relied upon, if the other states, corporations and institutions of the flourishing and happy Republic would but enter fully and seriously in this peacefulIntellectual Unionof the two Hemispheres.Alexandre Vattemare.
Art.1er.Un exemplaire papier fin du grand ouvrage de l'Égypte est donné à l'Institut national des États-Unis d'Amérique.Art.2.Notre ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur est chargé de l'exécution de la présente ordonnance.Au palais des Tuileries, le 5 avril 1846.Signé: LOUIS-PHILIPPE.Par le roi:Le ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,SignéT. Duchatel.Pour ampliation:Le sous-secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,A. Passy.
Art.1er.
Un exemplaire papier fin du grand ouvrage de l'Égypte est donné à l'Institut national des États-Unis d'Amérique.
Art.2.
Notre ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur est chargé de l'exécution de la présente ordonnance.
Au palais des Tuileries, le 5 avril 1846.
Signé: LOUIS-PHILIPPE.Par le roi:
Le ministre secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,SignéT. Duchatel.
Pour ampliation:
Le sous-secrétaire d'État au département de l'intérieur,A. Passy.
Such are the feelings towards the establishment of the system of international literary exchanges in France; as for those of your own country, although each one of you is already acquainted with the warm sympathy with which my proposals were received, while in the U.S., yet I thought it well to publish the following documents showing not only the continuation but the increased favor bestowed upon my humble efforts in the consolidation of this additional link so well adapted to strengthen more and more our fraternal union, but as a stimulus for those states who have not yet entered into this enlightened and peaceful confederacy, and to bring forth the true character of this generous nation, whose love for the propagation of knowledge would prevent her from shrinking from any sacrifices calculated for the improvement of the human race.
RESOLUTIONSAdopted by the first and second branches of the city council of Baltimore and submitted for the approval of the Mayor, February 26th, 1844.Resolved by the mayor and city council of Baltimore, That the thanks of the city of Baltimore be, and are hereby presented to the city of Paris for the splendid donation of books which have been presented by the said city to the city of Baltimore. She cordially reciprocates the sentiment that such testimonials presented bythe cities of Franceto those of theUnited States, have a favorable effect on litterature and science and on the fine arts, and on the sympathy and ancient friendship so happily existing between the United States and France.Resolved, That the following books and maps be presented in the name of the city of Baltimore to the city of Paris, as a testimonial of the sense entertained of the friendship of the said city in presenting sundry valuable books to the city of Baltimore.And be it resolved that the chairman of the committee be authorised by and with the approbation of the mayor, to draw on the Register for the sum necessary to carry the foregoing resolution into effect.T. Yates Walsh, president, first branch.Robert Howard, president, second branch.
RESOLUTIONS
Adopted by the first and second branches of the city council of Baltimore and submitted for the approval of the Mayor, February 26th, 1844.
Resolved by the mayor and city council of Baltimore, That the thanks of the city of Baltimore be, and are hereby presented to the city of Paris for the splendid donation of books which have been presented by the said city to the city of Baltimore. She cordially reciprocates the sentiment that such testimonials presented bythe cities of Franceto those of theUnited States, have a favorable effect on litterature and science and on the fine arts, and on the sympathy and ancient friendship so happily existing between the United States and France.
Resolved, That the following books and maps be presented in the name of the city of Baltimore to the city of Paris, as a testimonial of the sense entertained of the friendship of the said city in presenting sundry valuable books to the city of Baltimore.
And be it resolved that the chairman of the committee be authorised by and with the approbation of the mayor, to draw on the Register for the sum necessary to carry the foregoing resolution into effect.
T. Yates Walsh, president, first branch.Robert Howard, president, second branch.
Resolveto promote Mutual Literary and Scientific Exchanges with Foreign Countries.Resolved, That there be hereafter fifty additional copies of each volume of laws, resolves, and public documents printed by order of the Legislature, be printed and bound for the purpose of exchange in foreign countries[1].Resolved, That the Governor be authorized to transmit any of the above extra copies to the agents of foreign countries in the United States, authorized to receive the same for the above purpose, and that he be further authorized to make exchange of the same.Resolved, That a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars be appropriated from the Treasury, for the collection and exchange of original specimens of natural history and productions of useful art, to be expended under the direction of the Governor for the purpose aforesaid.In the House of Representatives, March 19, 1841. Read and passed,Josiah S. Little, Speaker.In Senate March 20, 1841.R. H. Vose, President.March 20, Approved,Edward Kent.
Resolveto promote Mutual Literary and Scientific Exchanges with Foreign Countries.
Resolved, That there be hereafter fifty additional copies of each volume of laws, resolves, and public documents printed by order of the Legislature, be printed and bound for the purpose of exchange in foreign countries[1].
Resolved, That the Governor be authorized to transmit any of the above extra copies to the agents of foreign countries in the United States, authorized to receive the same for the above purpose, and that he be further authorized to make exchange of the same.
Resolved, That a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars be appropriated from the Treasury, for the collection and exchange of original specimens of natural history and productions of useful art, to be expended under the direction of the Governor for the purpose aforesaid.
In the House of Representatives, March 19, 1841. Read and passed,
Josiah S. Little, Speaker.In Senate March 20, 1841.R. H. Vose, President.
March 20, Approved,Edward Kent.
Resolvesauthorizing the appointment of an agent of international exchanges with foreign countries.Resolved, That the Governor, with the advice and consent of the council, is hereby authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the state of Maine, for the purpose of receiving and transmitting to and from the secretary of state, all such books, documents and other objects of international exchange as may be directed to his care in pursuance of certain «resolves to promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries» approved March twentieth, eighteen hundred and forty one. «Resolves in favor of the American Athenæum» at Paris, approved March twenty second, eighteen hundred and forty three.Resolved, That the Governor and council are hereby authorized to audit and allow all necessary charges of such agent for receiving, packing up, carriage and exportation of said objects of international exchange; provided the sum shall not exceed three hundred dollars; and the Governor is hereby authorized todraw his warrant upon the treasurer, for the payment of such charges, out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated.In the House of Representatives, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.David Dunn, Speaker,In the Senate, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.John W. Dana, President.March 22, 1844. Approved,H. J. Anderson.
Resolvesauthorizing the appointment of an agent of international exchanges with foreign countries.
Resolved, That the Governor, with the advice and consent of the council, is hereby authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the state of Maine, for the purpose of receiving and transmitting to and from the secretary of state, all such books, documents and other objects of international exchange as may be directed to his care in pursuance of certain «resolves to promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries» approved March twentieth, eighteen hundred and forty one. «Resolves in favor of the American Athenæum» at Paris, approved March twenty second, eighteen hundred and forty three.
Resolved, That the Governor and council are hereby authorized to audit and allow all necessary charges of such agent for receiving, packing up, carriage and exportation of said objects of international exchange; provided the sum shall not exceed three hundred dollars; and the Governor is hereby authorized todraw his warrant upon the treasurer, for the payment of such charges, out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated.
In the House of Representatives, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.
David Dunn, Speaker,In the Senate, March 22, 1844. Read and passed.
John W. Dana, President.March 22, 1844. Approved,H. J. Anderson.
To Alexander Vattemare, of the city of Paris, kingdom of France, greeting.In conformity with the provisions of a Resolve of the Legislature of this state, entitled «Resolve authorizing the appointment of an Agent of international exchanges with foreign countries» Approved March twenty second, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, I have, with the advice and consent of the executive council of Maine, appointed you an Agent to execute any and all of the duties required by said Resolve, and as contemplated in your communication to the executive of this state, under date of October tenth, eighteen hundred and forty three.H. J. Anderson.(L. S.)By the Governor,Witness, Hugh J. Andersonour Governor, and the seal of the state hereunto affixed this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and of the independence of the United States the sixty eighth.Philip C. Johnson,Secretary of state.
To Alexander Vattemare, of the city of Paris, kingdom of France, greeting.
In conformity with the provisions of a Resolve of the Legislature of this state, entitled «Resolve authorizing the appointment of an Agent of international exchanges with foreign countries» Approved March twenty second, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, I have, with the advice and consent of the executive council of Maine, appointed you an Agent to execute any and all of the duties required by said Resolve, and as contemplated in your communication to the executive of this state, under date of October tenth, eighteen hundred and forty three.
H. J. Anderson.
(L. S.)By the Governor,
Witness, Hugh J. Andersonour Governor, and the seal of the state hereunto affixed this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and of the independence of the United States the sixty eighth.
Philip C. Johnson,Secretary of state.
Preamble and joint resolutions relative to Mons. Vattemare's system of international literary exchanges.WhereasMons. Alexandre Vattemare, a citizen of France, has with an unexampled zeal devoted his time, his energies and his fortune to the philanthropic effort of establishing an intellectual confederacy among the nations of the earth;And Whereashis system of international literary exchanges is not only promotive of science and the improvement of literature and the arts, but is also conducive to the fraternization of governments and the diffusion of civilization through out the globe;And Whereasthe project has been approved by the chambers and ministers of France, by the congress of the United States and the legislatures of several of the States, and by the statesmen and literati of both nations,Be it thereforeresolvedthe senate and house of representatives of the state of Michigan that in greatful acknowledgment of his desinterested labors in the cause of humanity and for the valuable works presented by him to the state, the thanks of the people of Michigan are respectfully tendered to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare by the representatives of the people in legislature convened.Resolvedthat his excellency the governor be and he hereby is authorized and requested to receive the parcel of books transmitted by Mons. Vattemare through Lewis Cass Jr. Esqr. to the state of Michigan and also the parcel consigned to E. Thayer and Co., forwarding merchants in the city of New-York, and to place the same in the state library.Resolvedthat his excellency be and he hereby is further authorized and requested to transmit to Mons. Vattemare a copy of the revised statutes and session laws of the state of Michigan together with the journals and documents of both houses of the legislature and such maps of the several counties as are now completed.Resolvedthat the state geologist be and he hereby is authorized and requested to examine and report to the next legislature what duplicate specimens of the natural history of Michigan are in his department of the University.Resolvedthat our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives be requested to use their best efforts to obtain the appointment of Mons. Alexandre Vattemare as an agent of the general government to act in behalf of this state, with power to conduct literary exchanges between France and the United States.Resolvedthat his excellency be and he is hereby requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions and the report of the committee on education to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare and to each of our senators and representatives in congress.Edwin N. Lothrop,Speaker of the house of representatives.Edwin M. Curt,President of the senate, (pro tem).Approved, March 12, 1844.Jno. S. Barry.
Preamble and joint resolutions relative to Mons. Vattemare's system of international literary exchanges.
WhereasMons. Alexandre Vattemare, a citizen of France, has with an unexampled zeal devoted his time, his energies and his fortune to the philanthropic effort of establishing an intellectual confederacy among the nations of the earth;And Whereashis system of international literary exchanges is not only promotive of science and the improvement of literature and the arts, but is also conducive to the fraternization of governments and the diffusion of civilization through out the globe;
And Whereasthe project has been approved by the chambers and ministers of France, by the congress of the United States and the legislatures of several of the States, and by the statesmen and literati of both nations,
Be it thereforeresolvedthe senate and house of representatives of the state of Michigan that in greatful acknowledgment of his desinterested labors in the cause of humanity and for the valuable works presented by him to the state, the thanks of the people of Michigan are respectfully tendered to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare by the representatives of the people in legislature convened.
Resolvedthat his excellency the governor be and he hereby is authorized and requested to receive the parcel of books transmitted by Mons. Vattemare through Lewis Cass Jr. Esqr. to the state of Michigan and also the parcel consigned to E. Thayer and Co., forwarding merchants in the city of New-York, and to place the same in the state library.
Resolvedthat his excellency be and he hereby is further authorized and requested to transmit to Mons. Vattemare a copy of the revised statutes and session laws of the state of Michigan together with the journals and documents of both houses of the legislature and such maps of the several counties as are now completed.
Resolvedthat the state geologist be and he hereby is authorized and requested to examine and report to the next legislature what duplicate specimens of the natural history of Michigan are in his department of the University.
Resolvedthat our senators in congress be instructed, and our representatives be requested to use their best efforts to obtain the appointment of Mons. Alexandre Vattemare as an agent of the general government to act in behalf of this state, with power to conduct literary exchanges between France and the United States.
Resolvedthat his excellency be and he is hereby requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions and the report of the committee on education to Mons. Alexandre Vattemare and to each of our senators and representatives in congress.
Edwin N. Lothrop,Speaker of the house of representatives.Edwin M. Curt,President of the senate, (pro tem).Approved, March 12, 1844.Jno. S. Barry.
Historical Society, Upper Alton III, August 15th, 1844.ToA. Vattemare, esqr.Dear sir,..........On the 24 July your letter and communication for the governor of the state were both read and afforded much gratification. Thanks were voted to the liberal donor the marquis de Pastoret for his present of books, "Histoire de la législation des peuples". The society feel greatly indebted to you for the interest you have exhibited in its prosperity and advancement.Mr. senator Brease delivered an address of three hours length before the society, describing Lasalle's discoveries and the labors of the French missionaries among the Indians in this state 150 years ago.He was directed to transmit your communication to the governor and urge its importance upon the legislature. A strong impulse was given us by your zeal and our hopes greatly encouraged.We shall soon make up a box for you of minerals—lead ore from Galena and the South part of the state—Coal—specimens of rocks and boulders found on our large praries, and if possible, a prarie hen or grouse as the English call it, etc., etc.Respectfully,Adiel Sherwood.Corresponding Secretary.
Historical Society, Upper Alton III, August 15th, 1844.
ToA. Vattemare, esqr.Dear sir,
..........On the 24 July your letter and communication for the governor of the state were both read and afforded much gratification. Thanks were voted to the liberal donor the marquis de Pastoret for his present of books, "Histoire de la législation des peuples". The society feel greatly indebted to you for the interest you have exhibited in its prosperity and advancement.
Mr. senator Brease delivered an address of three hours length before the society, describing Lasalle's discoveries and the labors of the French missionaries among the Indians in this state 150 years ago.He was directed to transmit your communication to the governor and urge its importance upon the legislature. A strong impulse was given us by your zeal and our hopes greatly encouraged.
We shall soon make up a box for you of minerals—lead ore from Galena and the South part of the state—Coal—specimens of rocks and boulders found on our large praries, and if possible, a prarie hen or grouse as the English call it, etc., etc.
Respectfully,Adiel Sherwood.Corresponding Secretary.
War Department, Washington, December 30th, 1844.Sir,I had the honor on the 1st of november to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th of September last, presenting to this department in the name of M. Dumon, minister ofpublic works, the beautiful and interesting geological map of France, and at the same time I desired you to convey to M. Dumon the thanks of the department for so valuable an acquisition to its library.Your desinterested and persevering efforts to establish a system of international exchanges of works of science and art are duly appreciated in our country. The results of those efforts we have all witnessed with great admiration in the fine engravings and rare books and medals, the contribution and donations of some of the highest and most meritorious men of France to the library and museum of the National Institute.Allow me, in the name of this department to send to your care a complete series of an illustrated history of the Indian tribes of North-America exhibiting likenesses of their most distinguished leaders, which you will please to present to the minister of public works with the assurance of my distinguished consideration and regard.Your obedient servant,Wm. Wilkins,Secretary of War.AlexandreVattemare, Esq.;Paris.From the Honorable Reverdy Johnson, U.S. senator from Maryland.Senate chamber, February 18, 1846.My dear Sir,I have just had the gratification of receiving your letter of the 28th of January. From the manifestation already evinced by this body, I am sure that they will liberally meet all your wishes about the exchanges.Just before I got your letter they passed unanimously a resolution providing that the librarian of Congress transmit to the Minister of Justice of France "acomplete series of the reports of all the decisions of the supreme court of the U.S., and of the circuit and district courts thereof, and a complete copy of the public statutes of the United States," and making an ample provision for executing it. This resolution will no doubt receive the sanction of the House of representatives.Your presents to the National Institute I received and delivered, paying all the charges. Any other gift which you may wish to forward to me will be gratefully received.I hope that the day is now come when your spirit will animate the enlightened men of both Nations and Sciences, and the Arts be found the leading objects of all.Not despairing of having again the pleasure of seeing you, I am truly your friend,Reverdy Johnson.From the Hon. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.March 21 st 1846.Sir,I have at length the pleasure of announcing to you that congress have passed a resolution authorising the transmission and presentation to the minister of justice of France of the reports of the decisions in all of the different courts of the United States as far as they have been published since the foundation of the Government; together with a copy of the laws passed by congress. Inclosed I send you a copy of the resolution, wich was passed unanimously.There is now preparing under the authority of congress, a new edition of the laws of the United States much more complete and satisfactory than any heretofore published, which is not yet quite ready for delivery. And as I wish to send all of the books at the same time I shall delay the transmission of the reports, until I can send with them this new edition of the acts of congress. They will however I hope be ready in a month or two; and I shall take much pleasure in transmitting them with the reports as early as practicable.You know how much I have regretted the delay in acknowledging the courtesy of the minister of Justice of France, by a suitable return. But feel assured that he as well as yourself will impute it to accidental causes wich I have heretofore explained.With great respect, I am, Sir,Your obedient servant,R. B. Taney.Mr.Alexandre Vattemare, Paris.TWENTY-NINTHE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,At the First session, begun and held at the city of Washington, on monday the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.A resolution, to authorise the transmission and presentation of books to the minister of justice of France, in exchange for books received from him.Resolved, by the senate and house of Representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, that the librarian of congress be, and he hereby is, authorised and directed to procure a complete series of reports of all the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, and of the circuit and district courts thereof, wich have been heretofore published; as also a complete copy of the Public Statutes at Large of the United States, now being edited by Richard Peters, esq, by authority of congress, the whole to be uniformly bound and lettered, and to cause the same under the direction of the chief justice of the said Supreme Court, to be transmitted and presented to the minister of justice of France, in return and exchange for works of French Law heretofore presented by the minister to the Supreme Court aforesaid.Section 2.And be it further Resolved, that for the purpose aforesaid, there be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars.John W. Davis,Speaker of the house of Representatives.G. M. Dallas,Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate.Approved, March 4 th, 1846.James K. Polk.The National Institute.From an article in the New-York Review of September, 1845, by the Hon. Joseph Ingersoll, Senator from Pennsylvania.In the beginning of the year 1842, an intercourse was opened which has been already productive of rich results, and may in the future confer immense advantages. Dr. Linn, of the United States Senate, sent to theSchool of Mines, of Paris, a specimen of oxide of iron taken from the iron mountain of Missouri. It was done at the request of Mr. Alexandre Vattemare, of that city, who had not a great while before visited Washington, and communicated to Dr. Linn, and through him to the "National Institution," the letter of Mons. Dufresnoy, "Chief Engineer and Directorof the Royal School of Mines." It is declared to be the ornament of their collections. In the name of the Council of the School he returns thanks "for this magnificent specimen," which he pronounces, notwithstanding its almost gigantic dimensions, (sixty-six millimetres in diameter,) complete in all its parts. Besides its interest in a mineralogical point of view, he adds that the present of Mr. Linn is highly esteemed by them, because it commences the system of exchange which Mr. Vattemare had sought to establish between all the nations of the new and the old continents, and which he says alone can secure the completion of their collections. From the period when this correspondence took place, Mr. Vattemare seems to have devoted his intelligent and active mind to this object. He has been the means of procuring and forwarding to Washington a perpetual supply of splendid and valuable productions. His countrymen are always on the march of improvement in the various departments of the elegant arts. Every description of magnificent engraving has been communicated. Box after box of books has come from him in unmeasured profusion. It would be endless to recapitulate the objects of his friendly contribution. They are referred to emphatically because they have especially served to set in motion that system of exchange, without which nothing can be completely deserving of the name of a collection. That Mr. Vattemare does not weary in his efforts needed no new proof. As lately as the 9th of June, 1845, he announces that he has received for the National Institute, from M. Le Brun, Peer of France, Director of the Royal Printing-office, etc., the complete collection of the Journal des Savans, from 1816 to 1845, twenty-nine quarto volumes, bound. "This most interesting and valuable collection," he says, "was last year granted to the National Institute at the request of M. Le Brun, by the Minister of Justice, etc. M. Le Brun has also sent to me a copy of his works, to be presented to the Institute as a token of his friendship and good wishes. From the War department of France, a complete collection of all the documents and works, illustrated with a great number of maps, etc., of the French possessions in North Africa, including the neighboring States, viz., the Empires of Morocco, Tunis, etc., published by order and under the superintendence of the Minister of War—sixteen volumes, folio, quarto, and octavo. From the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, twenty-five works on Agriculture and Commerce. From the Minister of the Interior, a beautiful collection ofbronze medals, commemorative of national events, from 1830 to 1844 inclusive. From M. M. Flourens, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, Member of the Académie Française, etc., his last two works. From M. M. Barre and Danton, sculptors, two beautiful little statues, one of the late Duc d'Orleans, the other of Miss Adélaide Kemble as Norma. From M. Picot, Member of the Academy of Fine Arts, etc., twofine engravings, taken from two of his pictures. From the Société Séricicole, (founded in 1838, for the encouragement and promotion of silk manufacturing in France,) the complete collection of its annals from its foundation to the present year—nine volumes, octavo." "All the above works, with many others, are heaped up, and occupy so much room in my office, that I can scarcely move about in it, and this number is daily increasing." One is impressed with mingled feelings of pleasure and mortification at reading this letter, for while it thus exhibits a prolific interest in the Institute, it unfolds in the following paragraph how little is the encouragement or gratitude for his substantial friendship and zeal:"It is a matter of great distress to me not to have it in my power to defray all the expenses of packing, of custom-house dues, commissions, and transportation from Paris to Washington, but I really cannot do it. Recollect that since 1839 to the present time, I have devoted all my time, industry and fortune, to the exclusive object of establishing an intellectual union between Europe and America; thatI have never received the slightest pecuniary assistance from my own country; and that the first and only encouragement of that character ever vouchsafed to me was the amount oftwo hundred dollars, so generously subscribed last year by the members of the National Institute, and two hundred and fifty dollars (out of three hundred) voted by the State of Maine. For the maintenance of an agency in Paris for national literary interchanges, the State of Massachusetts, stimulated by an enlightened and patriotic spirit, voted, during the last session of its Legislature, a like most generous allocation. Were all her sister States to follow so noble an example, by voting a small sum, according to their population and their intellectual wants, a fund might easily be established, amply sufficient to cover all the expenses incurred in maintaining an United States scientific and literary agency in Paris, the benefits of which would be incalculable."On this vital point (of exchanges) a report was made in February, 1842, by Mr. Markoe, the accomplished and indefatigable Corresponding Secretary. It exhibits the very great importance of them, as entering essentially into the plan of every society constituted like this and having like objects in view, and it shows that no occasion has been omitted to acquaint societies and individuals, whose correspondence has been sought or offered, that a system of general exchanges would be entered upon as soon as a plan should be matured. Under that assurance, and independently of it also, (it is added) valuable collections of various kinds have already been received, which render it incumbent on the directors to redeem the pledge that has been given. For this object the members are informed that they have already in hands the most abundant materials, which were increasing, and would continue to increase every day.
War Department, Washington, December 30th, 1844.
Sir,
I had the honor on the 1st of november to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th of September last, presenting to this department in the name of M. Dumon, minister ofpublic works, the beautiful and interesting geological map of France, and at the same time I desired you to convey to M. Dumon the thanks of the department for so valuable an acquisition to its library.
Your desinterested and persevering efforts to establish a system of international exchanges of works of science and art are duly appreciated in our country. The results of those efforts we have all witnessed with great admiration in the fine engravings and rare books and medals, the contribution and donations of some of the highest and most meritorious men of France to the library and museum of the National Institute.
Allow me, in the name of this department to send to your care a complete series of an illustrated history of the Indian tribes of North-America exhibiting likenesses of their most distinguished leaders, which you will please to present to the minister of public works with the assurance of my distinguished consideration and regard.
Your obedient servant,Wm. Wilkins,Secretary of War.
AlexandreVattemare, Esq.;Paris.
From the Honorable Reverdy Johnson, U.S. senator from Maryland.
Senate chamber, February 18, 1846.
My dear Sir,
I have just had the gratification of receiving your letter of the 28th of January. From the manifestation already evinced by this body, I am sure that they will liberally meet all your wishes about the exchanges.
Just before I got your letter they passed unanimously a resolution providing that the librarian of Congress transmit to the Minister of Justice of France "acomplete series of the reports of all the decisions of the supreme court of the U.S., and of the circuit and district courts thereof, and a complete copy of the public statutes of the United States," and making an ample provision for executing it. This resolution will no doubt receive the sanction of the House of representatives.
Your presents to the National Institute I received and delivered, paying all the charges. Any other gift which you may wish to forward to me will be gratefully received.
I hope that the day is now come when your spirit will animate the enlightened men of both Nations and Sciences, and the Arts be found the leading objects of all.
Not despairing of having again the pleasure of seeing you, I am truly your friend,
Reverdy Johnson.
From the Hon. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
March 21 st 1846.
Sir,
I have at length the pleasure of announcing to you that congress have passed a resolution authorising the transmission and presentation to the minister of justice of France of the reports of the decisions in all of the different courts of the United States as far as they have been published since the foundation of the Government; together with a copy of the laws passed by congress. Inclosed I send you a copy of the resolution, wich was passed unanimously.
There is now preparing under the authority of congress, a new edition of the laws of the United States much more complete and satisfactory than any heretofore published, which is not yet quite ready for delivery. And as I wish to send all of the books at the same time I shall delay the transmission of the reports, until I can send with them this new edition of the acts of congress. They will however I hope be ready in a month or two; and I shall take much pleasure in transmitting them with the reports as early as practicable.
You know how much I have regretted the delay in acknowledging the courtesy of the minister of Justice of France, by a suitable return. But feel assured that he as well as yourself will impute it to accidental causes wich I have heretofore explained.
With great respect, I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,R. B. Taney.
Mr.Alexandre Vattemare, Paris.
TWENTY-NINTHE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,
At the First session, begun and held at the city of Washington, on monday the first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
A resolution, to authorise the transmission and presentation of books to the minister of justice of France, in exchange for books received from him.
Resolved, by the senate and house of Representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, that the librarian of congress be, and he hereby is, authorised and directed to procure a complete series of reports of all the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, and of the circuit and district courts thereof, wich have been heretofore published; as also a complete copy of the Public Statutes at Large of the United States, now being edited by Richard Peters, esq, by authority of congress, the whole to be uniformly bound and lettered, and to cause the same under the direction of the chief justice of the said Supreme Court, to be transmitted and presented to the minister of justice of France, in return and exchange for works of French Law heretofore presented by the minister to the Supreme Court aforesaid.
Section 2.And be it further Resolved, that for the purpose aforesaid, there be appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars.
John W. Davis,Speaker of the house of Representatives.G. M. Dallas,Vice President of the U.S. and President of the Senate.Approved, March 4 th, 1846.James K. Polk.
The National Institute.From an article in the New-York Review of September, 1845, by the Hon. Joseph Ingersoll, Senator from Pennsylvania.
In the beginning of the year 1842, an intercourse was opened which has been already productive of rich results, and may in the future confer immense advantages. Dr. Linn, of the United States Senate, sent to theSchool of Mines, of Paris, a specimen of oxide of iron taken from the iron mountain of Missouri. It was done at the request of Mr. Alexandre Vattemare, of that city, who had not a great while before visited Washington, and communicated to Dr. Linn, and through him to the "National Institution," the letter of Mons. Dufresnoy, "Chief Engineer and Directorof the Royal School of Mines." It is declared to be the ornament of their collections. In the name of the Council of the School he returns thanks "for this magnificent specimen," which he pronounces, notwithstanding its almost gigantic dimensions, (sixty-six millimetres in diameter,) complete in all its parts. Besides its interest in a mineralogical point of view, he adds that the present of Mr. Linn is highly esteemed by them, because it commences the system of exchange which Mr. Vattemare had sought to establish between all the nations of the new and the old continents, and which he says alone can secure the completion of their collections. From the period when this correspondence took place, Mr. Vattemare seems to have devoted his intelligent and active mind to this object. He has been the means of procuring and forwarding to Washington a perpetual supply of splendid and valuable productions. His countrymen are always on the march of improvement in the various departments of the elegant arts. Every description of magnificent engraving has been communicated. Box after box of books has come from him in unmeasured profusion. It would be endless to recapitulate the objects of his friendly contribution. They are referred to emphatically because they have especially served to set in motion that system of exchange, without which nothing can be completely deserving of the name of a collection. That Mr. Vattemare does not weary in his efforts needed no new proof. As lately as the 9th of June, 1845, he announces that he has received for the National Institute, from M. Le Brun, Peer of France, Director of the Royal Printing-office, etc., the complete collection of the Journal des Savans, from 1816 to 1845, twenty-nine quarto volumes, bound. "This most interesting and valuable collection," he says, "was last year granted to the National Institute at the request of M. Le Brun, by the Minister of Justice, etc. M. Le Brun has also sent to me a copy of his works, to be presented to the Institute as a token of his friendship and good wishes. From the War department of France, a complete collection of all the documents and works, illustrated with a great number of maps, etc., of the French possessions in North Africa, including the neighboring States, viz., the Empires of Morocco, Tunis, etc., published by order and under the superintendence of the Minister of War—sixteen volumes, folio, quarto, and octavo. From the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, twenty-five works on Agriculture and Commerce. From the Minister of the Interior, a beautiful collection ofbronze medals, commemorative of national events, from 1830 to 1844 inclusive. From M. M. Flourens, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, Member of the Académie Française, etc., his last two works. From M. M. Barre and Danton, sculptors, two beautiful little statues, one of the late Duc d'Orleans, the other of Miss Adélaide Kemble as Norma. From M. Picot, Member of the Academy of Fine Arts, etc., twofine engravings, taken from two of his pictures. From the Société Séricicole, (founded in 1838, for the encouragement and promotion of silk manufacturing in France,) the complete collection of its annals from its foundation to the present year—nine volumes, octavo." "All the above works, with many others, are heaped up, and occupy so much room in my office, that I can scarcely move about in it, and this number is daily increasing." One is impressed with mingled feelings of pleasure and mortification at reading this letter, for while it thus exhibits a prolific interest in the Institute, it unfolds in the following paragraph how little is the encouragement or gratitude for his substantial friendship and zeal:
"It is a matter of great distress to me not to have it in my power to defray all the expenses of packing, of custom-house dues, commissions, and transportation from Paris to Washington, but I really cannot do it. Recollect that since 1839 to the present time, I have devoted all my time, industry and fortune, to the exclusive object of establishing an intellectual union between Europe and America; thatI have never received the slightest pecuniary assistance from my own country; and that the first and only encouragement of that character ever vouchsafed to me was the amount oftwo hundred dollars, so generously subscribed last year by the members of the National Institute, and two hundred and fifty dollars (out of three hundred) voted by the State of Maine. For the maintenance of an agency in Paris for national literary interchanges, the State of Massachusetts, stimulated by an enlightened and patriotic spirit, voted, during the last session of its Legislature, a like most generous allocation. Were all her sister States to follow so noble an example, by voting a small sum, according to their population and their intellectual wants, a fund might easily be established, amply sufficient to cover all the expenses incurred in maintaining an United States scientific and literary agency in Paris, the benefits of which would be incalculable."
On this vital point (of exchanges) a report was made in February, 1842, by Mr. Markoe, the accomplished and indefatigable Corresponding Secretary. It exhibits the very great importance of them, as entering essentially into the plan of every society constituted like this and having like objects in view, and it shows that no occasion has been omitted to acquaint societies and individuals, whose correspondence has been sought or offered, that a system of general exchanges would be entered upon as soon as a plan should be matured. Under that assurance, and independently of it also, (it is added) valuable collections of various kinds have already been received, which render it incumbent on the directors to redeem the pledge that has been given. For this object the members are informed that they have already in hands the most abundant materials, which were increasing, and would continue to increase every day.
Secretary's office. Harisburg Oct. 25th 1844.To Alexandre Vattemare esq.Sir,I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th september last, addressed to the Honorable A. V. Parsons secretary of this Commonwealth, informing him that in November 1842 and January 1843, you had transmitted to his Excellency David R. Porter for the library of this State certain valuable books obtained from the ministers of the several departments of the French government, and desiring an Acknowledgement of their receipt.It is a cause of sincere regret that your Kind attention and that of the heads of the departments of the government of France has not since received the acknowledgement which it so highly merits. This has not been owing to an improper appreciation of its value, but to circumstances which I trust are sufficient to exculpate the government of this state from the charge of wilful neglect.The books transmitted in 1842 arrived here at the time that Mr Persons was about to retire from the office of secretary of state. They were placed in the state's library and upon my assuming the duties or the office in february 1843 their receipt did not come under my observation. Those sent in January et February 1843remained in the custom houseat New-York until a short time ago when they were forwarded by the collector of Customs at Philadelphia, who had received information that they were remaining in New-York. When these arrived they were immediatly placed in the state's library, there was not any letter accompanying them stating by whom they had been forwarded.I request that you will receive this explanation and if you deem it necessary, communicate it to the ministers of the departments of France interested in it. It is desired that the ministers may not entertain the belief that their attention is improperly understood by the authorities of this state.It is hoped that our legislature stimulated by a sense of your very valuable efforts will adopt measures to reciprocate the kindness and aid in your laudable exertion to promote the friendship at present happily existing between the people of France and those of the United States.Annexed is a list of the books received from Paris and in the library of the state.Agreeable to your request I send herewith letters of acknowledgement, addressed to the ministers of finances, war, navy, justice and commerce.I have the honor to be, with profound regard your obedient servant.Chas. McClure,Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Secretary's office. Harisburg Oct. 25th 1844.
To Alexandre Vattemare esq.
Sir,
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6th september last, addressed to the Honorable A. V. Parsons secretary of this Commonwealth, informing him that in November 1842 and January 1843, you had transmitted to his Excellency David R. Porter for the library of this State certain valuable books obtained from the ministers of the several departments of the French government, and desiring an Acknowledgement of their receipt.
It is a cause of sincere regret that your Kind attention and that of the heads of the departments of the government of France has not since received the acknowledgement which it so highly merits. This has not been owing to an improper appreciation of its value, but to circumstances which I trust are sufficient to exculpate the government of this state from the charge of wilful neglect.
The books transmitted in 1842 arrived here at the time that Mr Persons was about to retire from the office of secretary of state. They were placed in the state's library and upon my assuming the duties or the office in february 1843 their receipt did not come under my observation. Those sent in January et February 1843remained in the custom houseat New-York until a short time ago when they were forwarded by the collector of Customs at Philadelphia, who had received information that they were remaining in New-York. When these arrived they were immediatly placed in the state's library, there was not any letter accompanying them stating by whom they had been forwarded.
I request that you will receive this explanation and if you deem it necessary, communicate it to the ministers of the departments of France interested in it. It is desired that the ministers may not entertain the belief that their attention is improperly understood by the authorities of this state.
It is hoped that our legislature stimulated by a sense of your very valuable efforts will adopt measures to reciprocate the kindness and aid in your laudable exertion to promote the friendship at present happily existing between the people of France and those of the United States.
Annexed is a list of the books received from Paris and in the library of the state.
Agreeable to your request I send herewith letters of acknowledgement, addressed to the ministers of finances, war, navy, justice and commerce.
I have the honor to be, with profound regard your obedient servant.
Chas. McClure,Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In the year one thousand eight Hundred and forty Five.Resolvesto promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries.Resolvedthat the secretary of the commonwealth, under the direction of his Excellency the Governor, be authorized to exchange copies of the state map of Massachusetts, not exceeding twenty in number, and bound copies of the laws and legislative documents of the commonwealth for the current political year, not exceeding fifty volumes of each for books and other works of science and art from foreign countries, to be deposited in the library of the general Court. And the secretary is hereby authorized to cause fifty copies of each of the said documents for every future year to be printed over and above the number to be bound in volumes and set aside for the purpose of effecting therefore said exchanges hereafter[2].Resolvedthat his Excellency the Governor be authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the commonwealth, in transmitting to, and receiving from the secretary's office all such books and other works of science and art, as may be addressed to his care, in pursuance of the object of the preceding resolve, and to audit and allow all reasonable charges of said agent, for the receiving, packing carriage and exportation of said objects of exchange;provided, that the total sum so expended, shall not exceed three hundred dollars.House of Representatives, February 26, 1845. Passed.Saml H. Walley Jr., Speaker.In Senate, February 27, 1845. Passed.Levi Lincoln, President.February 27, 1845.Approved.Geo. N. Briggs.Secretary's office, March 15, 1845.A true copy.Attest.John G. Palfrey,Secretary.My dear Sir,I send you herewith a copy of Resolves passed by our legislature at its present session.I have it in charge from his excellence the Governor to say that he requests you to accept the appointment of agent under the second of the resolves, and that he has no doubt that this commonwealth will derive important benefits from your enlightened and liberal exertions."I am, dear sir, with the highest regardYour friend and servant,John G. Palfrey,Secretary of the commonwealth.ToA. Vattemare, Esq.Paris,France.
In the year one thousand eight Hundred and forty Five.
Resolvesto promote mutual literary and scientific exchanges with foreign countries.
Resolvedthat the secretary of the commonwealth, under the direction of his Excellency the Governor, be authorized to exchange copies of the state map of Massachusetts, not exceeding twenty in number, and bound copies of the laws and legislative documents of the commonwealth for the current political year, not exceeding fifty volumes of each for books and other works of science and art from foreign countries, to be deposited in the library of the general Court. And the secretary is hereby authorized to cause fifty copies of each of the said documents for every future year to be printed over and above the number to be bound in volumes and set aside for the purpose of effecting therefore said exchanges hereafter[2].
Resolvedthat his Excellency the Governor be authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the commonwealth, in transmitting to, and receiving from the secretary's office all such books and other works of science and art, as may be addressed to his care, in pursuance of the object of the preceding resolve, and to audit and allow all reasonable charges of said agent, for the receiving, packing carriage and exportation of said objects of exchange;provided, that the total sum so expended, shall not exceed three hundred dollars.
House of Representatives, February 26, 1845. Passed.Saml H. Walley Jr., Speaker.In Senate, February 27, 1845. Passed.Levi Lincoln, President.
February 27, 1845.Approved.Geo. N. Briggs.Secretary's office, March 15, 1845.
A true copy.Attest.John G. Palfrey,Secretary.
My dear Sir,
I send you herewith a copy of Resolves passed by our legislature at its present session.
I have it in charge from his excellence the Governor to say that he requests you to accept the appointment of agent under the second of the resolves, and that he has no doubt that this commonwealth will derive important benefits from your enlightened and liberal exertions.
"I am, dear sir, with the highest regardYour friend and servant,John G. Palfrey,Secretary of the commonwealth.
ToA. Vattemare, Esq.Paris,France.
Executive Department, Richmond Virginia, August 19, 1845.Sir,Your letter of the 28th December last to the Governor of Virginia has been placed in my hands and will be submitted to thecommittee of the Legislature on the state library at its annual meeting in December next.This Institution, founded by the state for the use of several departments of the government comprises the departments of Law, literature, science and arts. It is under the direction of the Legislature through a committee of both houses, and possesses the following works which have been published by the state, and which are occasionally interchanged with other states, and public institutions, viz:The statutes at large being a collection of all the laws of Virginia from the year 1619 to 1808, in 16 volumes;Laws of a later date;Reports of the state convention in 1776;Journals of the legislature from 1776 to 1790 and from 1831 to the present time, a map of Virginia published in 1826, and consequently at this day incomplete, yet probably valuable for your purpose.The geological survey of the state has been completed and will probably be published in the course of another year.If any of or all these publications would be acceptable to you, authority will be given for exchanging them upon the terms indicated in your letter, and I shall be happy to be the organ of communication in this interchange should you think proper to transmit any publications equivalent: so far at least as the before stated collections of the library institution will supply it.At any event I shall be gratified by having it in my power to lay before the committee any communication you may think proper to address to me.I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,Wm H. Richardson,Secretary of the com. of Virginia, and ex officio librarian.
Executive Department, Richmond Virginia, August 19, 1845.
Sir,
Your letter of the 28th December last to the Governor of Virginia has been placed in my hands and will be submitted to thecommittee of the Legislature on the state library at its annual meeting in December next.
This Institution, founded by the state for the use of several departments of the government comprises the departments of Law, literature, science and arts. It is under the direction of the Legislature through a committee of both houses, and possesses the following works which have been published by the state, and which are occasionally interchanged with other states, and public institutions, viz:
The statutes at large being a collection of all the laws of Virginia from the year 1619 to 1808, in 16 volumes;
Laws of a later date;
Reports of the state convention in 1776;
Journals of the legislature from 1776 to 1790 and from 1831 to the present time, a map of Virginia published in 1826, and consequently at this day incomplete, yet probably valuable for your purpose.
The geological survey of the state has been completed and will probably be published in the course of another year.
If any of or all these publications would be acceptable to you, authority will be given for exchanging them upon the terms indicated in your letter, and I shall be happy to be the organ of communication in this interchange should you think proper to transmit any publications equivalent: so far at least as the before stated collections of the library institution will supply it.
At any event I shall be gratified by having it in my power to lay before the committee any communication you may think proper to address to me.
I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,
Wm H. Richardson,Secretary of the com. of Virginia, and ex officio librarian.
From the Regents of the university of the state, trustees of the State Library.Albany, June 21, 1845.M. Alex. Vattemare,Dear sir,I had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th April on the 1st of June and two days since I received the books mentionedin it. I have replied as directed by the regents to M. the Count de Salvandy and must ask you to present the letter to him.The legislature of this state adjourned about the middle of May, the laws, journals and documents of the two houses which are now directed by an act passed this session, to be sent to the government of France (duplicate copy), have not yet come from the hands of the printers and binders—probably it may be two months, before they are completed, as indexes are to be compiled for each; but as soon as I receive them (and it is my duty by law to forward them), they shall be sent.Meanwhile I have collected from the various departments a few publications which I trust may be interesting. They are, as you are probably aware, not for sale and of course cannot readily be obtained out of this city. I send parcels for the minsters ofpublic instruction, offinances, ofagriculture and commerce, ofjusticeand of themarine.There is a law of the state directing the presentation of the volumes of the natural history of the state of New-York, to foreign governments and bodies and persons making donations to the state library. The governor and secretary of state are charged with this duty. I had an interview with these gentlemen during the present week and they assured me that they would in a few weeks at most, give the necessary directions for their transmission. Of course, a copy will be sent to his majesty and another to the royal library of France. And I have reason to suppose that copies will be sent to several of the ministers who have made donations through you. Certainly, to count de Salvandy. I have no doubt but every thing will be done in a manneer acceptable to you[3].I am extremely happy to learn that you have for us a copy of the judicial statistics of France. This is a most valuable donation. That of the Count de Salvandy is a splendid one and will be duly noticed to the Legislature, when they meet in 1846.The regents of the University deeply feel their indebtedness to you for your kindness in forwarding.I have honour to remain with respect, your truly,J. Romeyn Beck,Secretary.Mercantile Library Association, Clinton Hall. New-York, November 24th, 1845.Dear Sir,I am greatly pleased at being able to state that the books for the city of Paris have at length been forwarded by our city council through M. Edward Bossange, and I trust they may reach their destination in safety.They have been bound in uniform style and form a handsome collection. The survey of this state, which forms a part of it, is a fine work. I trust that the delay which has ocurred may leave no unfavorable impression in the minds of the gentlemen composing the council of the city of Paris.I have urged forward the sending as much as proper and M. Valentine, the clerk of our city council, has taken an active interest in the matter. All have desired to make the collection worthy of the distinguished body for whom it is designed, and it has been found necessary to delay some time until certain books could be procured not readily met with.A communication from the mayor of the city accompanies the books.I have taken the liberty of sending with them two copies of the catalogue of our library, one for yourself and one for the city council of Paris, and also a small packet addressed to yourself containing a number of letters of acknowledgement for the works you kindly forwarded to our association.With sentiments of the highest respect I remain,Your most obedient servant,H. K. Bull,Corresponding secretary.
From the Regents of the university of the state, trustees of the State Library.
Albany, June 21, 1845.
M. Alex. Vattemare,
Dear sir,
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th April on the 1st of June and two days since I received the books mentionedin it. I have replied as directed by the regents to M. the Count de Salvandy and must ask you to present the letter to him.
The legislature of this state adjourned about the middle of May, the laws, journals and documents of the two houses which are now directed by an act passed this session, to be sent to the government of France (duplicate copy), have not yet come from the hands of the printers and binders—probably it may be two months, before they are completed, as indexes are to be compiled for each; but as soon as I receive them (and it is my duty by law to forward them), they shall be sent.
Meanwhile I have collected from the various departments a few publications which I trust may be interesting. They are, as you are probably aware, not for sale and of course cannot readily be obtained out of this city. I send parcels for the minsters ofpublic instruction, offinances, ofagriculture and commerce, ofjusticeand of themarine.
There is a law of the state directing the presentation of the volumes of the natural history of the state of New-York, to foreign governments and bodies and persons making donations to the state library. The governor and secretary of state are charged with this duty. I had an interview with these gentlemen during the present week and they assured me that they would in a few weeks at most, give the necessary directions for their transmission. Of course, a copy will be sent to his majesty and another to the royal library of France. And I have reason to suppose that copies will be sent to several of the ministers who have made donations through you. Certainly, to count de Salvandy. I have no doubt but every thing will be done in a manneer acceptable to you[3].
I am extremely happy to learn that you have for us a copy of the judicial statistics of France. This is a most valuable donation. That of the Count de Salvandy is a splendid one and will be duly noticed to the Legislature, when they meet in 1846.
The regents of the University deeply feel their indebtedness to you for your kindness in forwarding.
I have honour to remain with respect, your truly,
J. Romeyn Beck,Secretary.
Mercantile Library Association, Clinton Hall. New-York, November 24th, 1845.
Dear Sir,
I am greatly pleased at being able to state that the books for the city of Paris have at length been forwarded by our city council through M. Edward Bossange, and I trust they may reach their destination in safety.
They have been bound in uniform style and form a handsome collection. The survey of this state, which forms a part of it, is a fine work. I trust that the delay which has ocurred may leave no unfavorable impression in the minds of the gentlemen composing the council of the city of Paris.
I have urged forward the sending as much as proper and M. Valentine, the clerk of our city council, has taken an active interest in the matter. All have desired to make the collection worthy of the distinguished body for whom it is designed, and it has been found necessary to delay some time until certain books could be procured not readily met with.
A communication from the mayor of the city accompanies the books.
I have taken the liberty of sending with them two copies of the catalogue of our library, one for yourself and one for the city council of Paris, and also a small packet addressed to yourself containing a number of letters of acknowledgement for the works you kindly forwarded to our association.
With sentiments of the highest respect I remain,Your most obedient servant,H. K. Bull,Corresponding secretary.
Brown University, Providence, January, 29th, 1846.Dear Sir,...... Your letter to the Governor has been received, presented to the legislature and referred to the committee on education. Thechairman of the committee, M. Goddard, formerly a professor in our college, presented a report with resolutions thanking you for your generous exertions, and particularly for your handsome presents, and voting several extra copies of all reports and documents published by the state and authorising the governor to pay all charges that may occur for the packing up and transportation of said books and any others to be sent to us from Paris, through your agency. This was carried through the House and the senate unanimously and it is I believe the only question which has been decided unanimously in our legislature for a long time......You will probably receive the report and the votes, by this steamer or the next.The Rhode Island-Historical Society have also passed votes of thanks and resolutions in favor of your project which you will receive soon.As to the books I shall make up a box and forward it to you as soon as I can.I write in great haste at the last moment before closing of the mail thinking it better to write an unfinished account of the affairs than to keep you longer in suspense.I beg your to believe me with the greatest respect,Your obedient servant,C. C. Jewett.Mr. A. Vattemare.
Brown University, Providence, January, 29th, 1846.
Dear Sir,
...... Your letter to the Governor has been received, presented to the legislature and referred to the committee on education. Thechairman of the committee, M. Goddard, formerly a professor in our college, presented a report with resolutions thanking you for your generous exertions, and particularly for your handsome presents, and voting several extra copies of all reports and documents published by the state and authorising the governor to pay all charges that may occur for the packing up and transportation of said books and any others to be sent to us from Paris, through your agency. This was carried through the House and the senate unanimously and it is I believe the only question which has been decided unanimously in our legislature for a long time......
You will probably receive the report and the votes, by this steamer or the next.
The Rhode Island-Historical Society have also passed votes of thanks and resolutions in favor of your project which you will receive soon.
As to the books I shall make up a box and forward it to you as soon as I can.
I write in great haste at the last moment before closing of the mail thinking it better to write an unfinished account of the affairs than to keep you longer in suspense.
I beg your to believe me with the greatest respect,Your obedient servant,C. C. Jewett.
Mr. A. Vattemare.
Of the Scientific Exchange between France and America
Sent from FRANCE to America.
From February1845,to May15th, 1846.
Sent from AMERICA to France.
(I do not mention books which I have been officiallyinformed, are on their way here from Congress, and the statesof Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Michigan,Illinois, Indiana, etc., in accordance with recent laws andresolutions, as the number of volumes is in no instance given.)
Making a total amount of 4,749 objects exchanged through the Agency in the course of the past sixteen months between France and North America.—The Hon.Secretary of war, the states ofMaine,Massachusetts,New-York, andIndianawith the cities ofBaltimoreandNew-York, being the only respondents to my call,by transmitting important works and voting generous allocations to pay the necessory expenses. From these facts, all can see what the operations of the scheme have been, and judge what important results may be confidently relied upon, if the other states, corporations and institutions of the flourishing and happy Republic would but enter fully and seriously in this peacefulIntellectual Unionof the two Hemispheres.
Alexandre Vattemare.