712 HISTOEY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 



• 



In addition, the volume was liberally distributed to distinguished 

 savans interested in its subject, and to numerous institutions through- 

 out our own country. 



.At the commencement of its system of exchanges, the Institution was 

 much trammeled by the great delays and considerable expenses attend- 

 ant on custom-house requirements, but by earnest efibrts and proper 

 representation to Congress, the United States Government adopted the 

 enlightened policy of admitting through our custom-houses, duty free, 

 all scientific publications from foreign countries addressed to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, whether for its own use or as presents to learned 

 societies and individuals in any part of our country. 



The efforts of the Institution were then directed to the procurement 

 from foreign governments of a recij^rocal liberality on their part. The 

 following extract from the Secretary's report for 1851 will sufficiently 

 indicate the steps first taken : 



"The promotion of knowledge is much retarded by the difficulties ex- 

 perienced in the way of a free intercourse between scientific and literary 

 societies in different parts of the world. In carrying on the exchauge 

 of the Smithsonian volumes, it was necessary to appoint a number of 

 agents. Some of these are American consuls, and other responsible 

 individuals, who have undertaken in most cases to transact the busi- 

 ness free of all charge, and in others for but little more than the actual 

 expense incurred. These agencies being established, other exchanges 

 could be carried on through tbem, and our means of conveyance, at the 

 slight additional expense owing to the small increase of weight; and 

 we have accordingly offered the privileges of sending and receiving 

 small packages through our agency to institutions of learning, and in 

 some cases to individuals who chose to avail themselves of it; the offer 

 has been accepted by a number of institutions, and the result cannot 

 fail to prove highly beneficial, by promoting a more ready communica- 

 tion between the literature and science of this country and the world 

 abroad. 



"As a part of the same system, application was made through Sir 

 Henry Bulwer, the British minister at "Washington, for a remission of 

 duties on i)ackages intended for Great Britain, and we are informed that 

 a i)ermanent arrangement will probably be made through the agencj^of 

 the Eoyal Society for the free passage through the English custom-houses 

 of all jjackages from this Institution. 



" The Smithsonian exchanges are under the special charge of Professor 

 Baird, who has been unwearied in his exertions to collect proper ma- 

 terials, and to reduce the whole to such order as will combine security 

 with raijidity of transmission. 



"The system of exchanges here described has no connection with 

 that established between national governments by Mr. Yatteumre. It 

 is merely an extension of one which has been in operation, on a small 



