HISTOEY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 785 



from Dr. W. E. Johnston, of tlio 5tli of August, iu refereuce to the par- 

 ticipation of the Smithsonian Institution in the system of international 

 exchanges. 



In reply to the suggestioiis of the letter referred to, I beg leave to 

 say that the Smithsonian Institution has bem engaged for nearly thirty 

 years in the development of its present system of international ex- 

 changes, prosecuted almost entirely at the expense of the Smithsonian 

 fund; that it has thoroughly met the needs and wishes of the scientific 

 men of both countries, and that uidess there is some assurance that the 

 work can be carried on with equal efficiency under some new arrange- 

 ment it would be considered inexpedient by the Board of Regents to 

 made any change. If, however, the Government of the United States 

 will undertake the entire expense of the work and its management on 

 a scale that will meet all the requirements, it is very probable that the 

 assent of the Board of Eegents can be had to the proposition to trans- 

 fer it to a new organization, and thus be enabled to devote funds thus 

 released in some other direction. 



This, of course, according to the letter of Dr. Johnston, would involve 

 the assumption of the labor at least by the State Department, and the 

 securing of the necessary appropriations from Congress for the purpose. 



If I am informed by the State Department of its readiness to under- 

 take the expense and responsibility attendant upon the assumption of 

 the system of international exchanges in question, I will take pleasure 

 in referring the matter to the Board of Eegents for its action. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

 Spencek, F. Baird, 

 Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. 



[The state Department to tlie Smitlisonian Institntion.] 



Department of State, Washington, September 26, 1878. 

 Prof. Spencer F. Baird, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution : 



Sir: I have received and carefully considered your letter of the 17th 

 instant, in replj' to the letter of this Department of August 2Sth ultimo, 

 in relation to the international system of exchanges of scientific publi- 

 cations proposed by a conference at Paris, in which the United States is 

 represented by Dr. W. E. Johnston. 



I quite agree with the opinion expressed through you by the Board 

 of Regents, that it is inexpedient to make any present cliange iu the 

 admirable and efficient system of literary exchanges with foreign coun- 

 tries inaugurated by the Smithsonian Institution nearly thirty years ago, 

 and since then developed to its present proportions. 



The letter of Dr. Johnston, of August 5, of which acopy was sent to 

 you with the Department's letter of 28th ultimo, states that ''the rela- 

 S. Mis. 109 50 



