146 REPORT ON EXCHANGES. 



From the Smithsonian Institution, August 20, 1883, to the Bon. John Dae is. 

 Acting Secretary of State. 



Sir: In forwarding here a special communication in reference to the 

 proposition for the immediate exchange of parliamentary documents, 

 I beg to offer some general remarks upon the proceedings of the Bel- 

 gian convention. 



I was much gratified to find that the position of the Smithsonian 

 Institution in regard to the expenses of the transportation of packages 

 was, in great measure, acceded to. As suggested by Mr. Eueleus, it is 

 usually perfectly practicable to arrange for the prepayment of charges 

 for land transportation through from the point of transmission. The 

 case is very different where shipments by steamer interpose; and it is 

 for this reason that the Smithsonian Institution urges that delivery, 

 free of expense, should terminate at the port of embarkation, rather 

 <even than at the port of debarkation, although the latter could perhaps 

 be arranged for, if the former were not equally convenient. In no event 

 can it agree to arrange for delivery free of charge at the ultimate des- 

 tination of the sending. 



The Smithsonian Institution does not insist on delivery to consuls of 

 foreign Governments at the shipping ports, although this is a conven- 

 ience. It is quite willing to deliver directly on board the steamships, 

 although it has found no hesitation whatever on the part of any foreign 

 consuls in taking charge of the packages. In some cases these parcels 

 are forwarded by Government vessels that happen to be in port; in 

 others, by regular foreign steamship lines carrying free under subsidies. 

 In all cases a bill of lading for each shipment is transmitted direct by 

 the Institution to the agent of the international exchange in the coun- 

 tries addressed. 



The second point which seems to have involved more or less debate 

 -was whether the system of exchange should include the publications 

 of the Governments only, or those of societies and individuals generally. 



The Smithsonian Institution agrees with those who take the more 

 liberal and comprehensive view, as the increase and diffusion of knowl- 

 edge depend much more upon the interchange of information in regard 

 to scientific, industrial, and technical researches than upon the trans- 

 mission of the publications alone of the several Governments. 



It was solely and exclusively for the distribution and exchange of its 

 own publications, and those of affiliated bodies, that the Smithsonian 

 Institution undertook, nearly one-third of a century ago, its responsible 

 <iuty, and unless permitted to include both divisions in its functions, it 

 would prefer to confine itself to the more comprehensive and original 

 one. 



As, however, the machinery of administration is sufficiently elastic to 

 embrace the whole subject, and the additional expense attendant com- 

 paratively trifling, there appears to be no good reason for a duplication 

 of agencies. It is fully believed by the Institution that a cessation of 



