780 HISTORY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 



principal libraries of the United States and of foreign nations, has been 

 borne entirely by the Smithsonian Institution, and now amounts to 

 nearly seven thousand dollars annually. This expense, however, would 

 be much greater were it not for the generous co-operation of various 

 American, British, French, and German steamship companies, which 

 carry the packages without charge for transportation. As a further 

 extension of the system. Congress has directed that iifty copies of each 

 of its annual publications be given to the Institution for exchange with 

 foreign governments. 



In view of the foregoing statements, 1 do not think it in the least de- 

 gree probable that the Government of the United States would think 

 it advisable at present to establish a special bureau for co-operating in 

 the plan proposed by the congress of geographical sciences. 



I may say, however, in behalf of the Smithsonian Institution, that it 

 will cheerfully co-operate with the system proj)osed as soon as it has 

 succeeded in establishing its organization, and also that if, at any time, 

 the Government of the United States chooses to assume the expense of 

 a purely national establishment, the Institution would devote the money 

 it now expends in this direction to other objects connected with the 

 "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." 



I have the honor to be, yours, respectfully, 

 Joseph Henry, 

 Fresident National Academy and Secretary Smithsonian Iristitution. 



[The Portuguese commissioners to the jiresitleut of tho. Belgian commission.] 



Lisbon, March 1, 1877. 



Sir : The agreement signed August 12, 1875, by yourself and the 

 Portuguese commissioners on the occasion of the geographical congress 

 at Paris, is without doubt the most valuable result of that scientific 

 and truly international reunion w^hich has contributed in so efficacious 

 a manner in drawing closer the intellectual relations already established 

 between the nations they represented. 



The scientific literary and art exchanges organized, in a sure and 

 permanent manner, in aiding unquestiouablj' in the rapid and thorough 

 diffusion of science, ought to create indissoluble bonds of union between 

 the ditlerent groups of the human family — bonds which cannot fail to 

 be most j)rofitable to the great cause of civilization. 



True to its agreement, and convinced of the immense advantages 

 which must spring up for all nations from the realization of so generous 

 a thought, the Portuguese Government has appointed a commission 

 provisionally charged with the organization of the service of scientific, 

 literary, and art exchanges on such a basis which should not sensibly 

 deviate from that which we have the honor to communicate to you 

 herewith, and which has been accepted by the commissioners residing 

 at Paris, who constitute an international committee. 



