24 REPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 



maneut and, it may be added, the only efficieut guarantee of realizing 

 from the system of international exchanges what we have a right to 

 expect. 



An initiatory step was taken during the last Congress, when an agent 

 in the employ of the Smithsonian Institution, in charge of its exchange 

 system, was sent to Europe, one-half of his expenses being paid by the 

 Institution and one-half out of the Library funds. The results of the 

 experiment, although a first attempt in a new field, were most gratify- 

 ing. In the few months devoted to the labor, there were secured by 

 diligent effort, backed by the requisite ofiicial authority from the Secre- 

 tary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of State, and the 

 Librarian of Congress, very extensive returns of public documents and 

 miscellaneous publications. These returns comprised forty-four cases 

 and one hundred and sixty packages of books, numbering about 7,000 

 volumes, received in 1884-'85, and were collected from the Governments 

 of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, 

 Sweden, ISforway, Denmark, Hungary, Saxony, Wiirtemberg, Bavaria, 

 and Switzerland, fourteen Governments in all. Vienna was also visited, 

 but affairs were not in a state favorable to the success of negotiations, 

 and no result was reached as to the publications of the Austrian Gov- 

 ernment. Several other Governments from which returns were thus 

 secured, have also failed to continue sending the series of their parlia- 

 mentary and other documents, the value of which is largely dependent 

 upon their continuity. 



The exx^erience of years has amply proved the impossibility of secur- 

 ing any complete or adequate return from foreign Governments for the 

 full and costly series of American Government publications so long fur- 

 nished them, without direct and persistent effort, through an agency 

 upon the ground, furnished with adequate credentials, to attend per- 

 sonally to the whole business. One of the chief benefits of the initial 

 effort already made has been the discovery of the practical obstacles in 

 the way of a thoroughly successful system of exchanges. These, it is 

 believed, could be removed by following up the work with each Govern- 

 ment, while, if neglected, or left to the very uncertain medium of cor- 

 respondence, the United States will continue to reap very inadequate 

 returns for our publications sent abroad. It is recommended that the 

 Joint Committee on the Library consider the expediency of providing 

 an appropriation to defray the necessary expenses of an agent of inter- 

 national exchanges, to be sent abroad for a. term of at least six months 

 during the present year. 



It is also recommended that the act directiug the printing of fifty 

 copies of each publication ordered by any Deiiartment or Bureau, to be 

 devoted to international exchanges, be so amended as to render its pro- 

 visions more effective." 



LIBEARy. 



The fact should constantly be borne in mind that the distribution of 

 the publications of the Institution secures in return a large amount of 

 valuable material which is deposited in the Library of Congress. What- 

 ever cost, therefore, there may be to our Government for Smithsonian or 

 Museum reports, &c., is many times repaid by the exchanges received, 

 in addition to which the returns for the many volumes of publications 

 printed entirely at the expense of the Smithsonian fund find the same 

 depository. 



