REPORT ON EXCHANGES. 149 



minister here that it adheres to the two drafts of a convention marked 

 respectively A and B, and to the final report of the deliberations of the 

 conference [pp. 36 ct seq. of the inclosed pamphlet], and expresses a 

 desire to learn the attitude of the United States with respect to these 

 conclusions at the earliest' convenient date, in order that the conference 

 which is to adopt the final arrangement may be convoked with little 

 delay. 



Although the view already stated by you in your various communi- 

 cations of August 24 are apparently ample, it seems proper that the 

 questions thus formally submitted by the Belgian minister, should be 

 referred for such supplementary consideration of the Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution as he deems it pertinent to give. 



A more special response to one or more of your letters of August 24 

 will doubtless soon be prepared. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

 John Davis, 

 Acting Secretary. 



From the Smithsonian Institution, October 4, 1883, to the Son. John 

 Davis, Acting Secretary of State. 



Sir : I have just received at this place your letter of the 26th of Sep- 

 tember asking a formal consideration of paragraphs A and B and the 

 general conclusions of the report of the conference in regard to inter- 

 national exchanges held at Brussels. 



In compliance therewith the Smithsonian Institution recommends 

 the acceptance of section A in its actual form, and begs to express its 

 willingness to carry out the provisions thereof as far as the means at 

 its command will allow. More than one series of Government publica- 

 tions cannot at present be promised to any one foreign Government. 



The latitude permitted by Article 6 in reference to shipments by sea 

 removes the objection made to the previous agreement. 



So far as the class of beneficiaries referred to in Article 7 is concerned, 

 the Institution reserves the right, as a branch of its own original system, 

 to use such additional agencies of distribution aVs it may deem proper, 

 since experience has shown that in some cases at least these are the 

 moie expeditious channels of transmission. The same reservation is 

 made in reference to the service between scientific men in America and 

 those elsewhere ; between individuals and public libraries, as also in 

 connection with the interchange of specimens of natural history, for 

 none of which is provision made as recommended by the Institution 

 subject to the approval and co-operation of Congress. 



The general conclusions of the conference, as indicated on page 36 of 

 the pamphlet (herewith returned), are satisfactory to the Institution; 

 but modifications may be found necessary in carrying the system into 

 full operation. 



I have the honor, &c, &c, Spencer F. Baird. 



