HISTOEY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 789 



[The State Department to the Smitbsouian lustitution.] 



Department of State, Washington, November 14, 1878. 

 Prof. Spencer F. Baird, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution : 



Sir : Your letter of the 7tb instant, in relation to the contemplated 

 assimilation of the Smithsonian Institution's system of international 

 exchanges with the international bureau which it is proposed to estab- 

 lish in accordance with the conclusions of the Paris congress, has been 

 received. 



It is a source of gratification to this government to learn the readi- 

 ness of the Smithsonian lustitution to enter into any practicable ar- 

 rangement which may be made in furtherance of an extended interna- 

 tional scheme of exchanges. 



The details, however, of the proposed aiTangement, so far as the other 

 countries are concerned, ai'e but imperfectly known at present, although 

 it is believed that the plan is such that the Smithsonian Institution, in 

 merging its exchange system therein, would not only increase its sphere 

 of operations, but be relieved to a great extent of the trouble and ex- 

 pense involved in transmitting foreign exchanges to this country. At 

 any rate, knowing the great benefits which have accrued and are accru- 

 ing to scientific effort in all parts of the world through the well-ordered 

 exertions of the Smithsonian, this department would not favor any ar- 

 rangement which might tend to curtail in any way the comprehensive 

 results now attained. 



An instruction has been to-day sent to the United States minister at 

 Paris, requesting him to obtain, if possible, precise information as to 

 the working details of the proposed international arrangement, in order 

 that the question whether the Smithsonian plan of exchanges can be 

 thereto assimilated may be understandingly considered. Mr. ]SI"oyes 

 has been especially directed to ascertain what facilities of exchange, if 

 any, it is proposed to accord to private scientific organizations and in- 

 dividuals, whether in the countries adhering to the proposed plan or 

 in countries outside of its scope. If a practicable basis can be found 

 for the assimilation of the operations of the Smithsonian bureau of ex- 

 changes with those of the international bureau, it is conceived that it 

 should secure to the former full freedom of action for so much of its 

 present plan of work as may not be embodied in the contemplated 

 scheme. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

 Wm. M. Evarts. 



