HISTORY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 783 



represented by them for transmission to any portion of America, like- 

 wise tbrongii the Smithsonian Institution. 



A special element in the Smithsonian system of international ex- 

 changes consists in the employment of a number of agents in different 

 l)ortious of Europe, a list of whom is herewith inclosed. It will be seen 

 that the agent of France is Mr. Gustav Bossange, the well-known book- 

 seller, of Paris. 



It will be entirely agreeable to the Smithsonian Institution to adopt 

 any plan of communication between the United States and France that 

 may be considered an improvement upon the present, although it could 

 not now undertake to assume any responsibility beyond that of taking 

 charge of official publications interchanged between the two govern- 

 ments, and of any parcels addressed to scientific individuals and insti- 

 tutions. 



If the Department of State should think proper to instruct the Ameri- 

 can minister at Paris to serve as agent in these transactions it will be 

 an improvement upon the present system which we shall be happy to see 

 carried into effect. 



I am, very respectfully and truly, your obedient servant, 



Spencer F. Baird, 

 Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. 



[The State Department to tlie Smithsonian Institution.] 



Department of State, AYashington, August 28, 1878. 

 Spencer F. Baird, Esq., 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. : 

 Sir: Eeferring to your letter of the 3rd of June last to this department 

 in relation to the international exchange of works of science, a copy of 

 which was transmitted to our minister at Paris, and by him communi- 

 cated to Dr. Johnston, the American delegate to the congress for pro- 

 moting the organization of a more extensive system of such exchanges, 

 I have the honor to inclose herewith, for your consideration, a partial 

 report just received by this department from Dr. Johnston as to the 

 proceedings of the congress in relation to the subject-matter of this cor- 

 respondence. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

 F. W. Seward, 



[Iuclosure.'\ 



Acting Secretary. 

 Paris, August 5, 1878. 



His Excellency Wm. M. Evarts, 



Secretary of State : 



Sir: In reply to your excellency's letter of June 10, addressed to the 

 American minister at Paris, and that of Mr. Baird, Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, of June 3, accompanying, both relating to the 

 X^roposed official organization of a system of international exchanges of 



