REPORT ON EXCHANGES. 147 



its general system of exchanges would be considered, the world over, a 

 very disastrous blow to the cause of science and education. 



The Institution however does not undertake any responsibility in 

 the matter beyond transmitting what is offered to it, or in distributing 

 what comes through its agencies; although it is frequently called upon 

 to make out lists of addresses, both in America and elsewhere, to which 

 special or continued publications may be advantageously supplied. 



I may say in this connection that our experience of the administra- 

 tion of the system of miscellaneous exchanges by Government bureaus 

 has not been satisfactory. In nearly all cases where we have changed 

 our agency from that of a bookseller, or other private party, to that of 

 an international bureau, there have been energetic and earnest expres- 

 sions of dissatisfaction in regard to the latter. This, however, will 

 doubtless be remedied with time and experience. 



Referring to the expression of Minister Fish's regrets as to the absence 

 of American publications among the 1,100 or 1,200 periodicals in the 

 leading room of the Royal Library of Brussels, there would appear to be 

 no particular obligation on the part of the publishers of such journals 

 in the United States to forward them to any one library other than in 

 exchange, or in return for a proper compensation. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

 Spencer F. Baird. 



From the Smithsonian Institution, August 20, 1883, to the Eon. John 

 Davis, Acting Secretary of State. 



Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication 

 of July 24, inclosing a second copy of a dispatch from Minister Fish, 

 of the 24th April, in reference to the proceedings of the Convention on 

 International Exchanges, held in Brussels during the present year. 



The proposition for this supplemental exchange of parliamentary doc- 

 uments involves the transmission from Washington, to all nations giv- 

 ing their adhesion to the same, of copies of the Congressional Record, 

 of all bills and joint resolutions, and of official reports made by Con- 

 gress, day by day as they come from the press; but does not include 

 the publications of the Departments, which are embraced in the general 

 system of distribution by the Smithsonian Institution. 



This will involve the procuring of a second set of the publications in 

 question for the legislature of each Government, in addition to that 

 which is now furnished to a designated depositary. 



It will be impossible to promise such a second set of legislative pub 

 lications to a considerable number of addresses without ascertaining 

 the views of the Joint Library Committee of Congress in regard to it. 

 This body, however, already has the power to enter into the arrange- 

 ment, as existing law directs the Public Printer, in addition to the reg- 

 ular number of fifty sets, to furnish fifty additional copies of any work- 

 that may be indicated by the aforesaid committee as needed for purpo- 

 ses of international exchange. 



