HISTORY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 801 



of international exchanges, having sent me, on the 20th of April last, at 

 my request, the list of correspondents appointed by the various govern- 

 ments to take charge of international exchanges, gives me the informa- 

 tion that you are the correspondent designated by your government for 

 the abov'e-meutioned service in your country, and I presume he has also 

 informed you that the government of his Majesty the Emperor, my 

 august sovereign, has founded (established) in the capital of Eio de 

 Janeiro a central commission of international exchanges, naming me its 

 president, and as associates, Abackarel Jeronymo Bandeiia de Mello, 

 chief of section of the general directory of statistics, and Guilherme 

 Candido Bellegarde, chief of section of the central directory of the 

 ministry of agriculture, commerce, and public works, as stated in the 

 articles printed in the accompanying pamphlet, of which I have the 

 honor of sending you three copies. 



It remains, then, to inform you that the central Brazilian commission 

 of international exchanges has been in operation since the 20th day of 

 November last, and transacts its business in the third directory of the 

 oflice of the secretary of state of imperial affairs, and that it will shortly 

 send you the first remittance of our official publications, hoj^ing that 

 in return there will also be sent to it the official publication of your 

 country. 



I wish to congratulate you on account of the happy resolution taken 

 by our respective governments, in the interest of the sciences and of the 

 development and progress of civilization, to establish as a permanent 

 institution the service of international exchanges, and I (very) especially 

 congratulate myself on the opportunity thus afforded of opening rela- 

 tions with a gentleman so distinguished and illustrious as yourself. 



Accept, eminent sir, the assurance of my highest esteem and consid- 

 eration. 



The president of the commission. 



Dr. J. J. DE Compos da Costa de Medeibos y Axbuquerque. 



[//tcZosure.] 



PKOVISIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GUIDAJTCE OF THE CENTRAX COMMISSION OB" 

 INTERNATIONAI. EXCHANGES ESTABLISHED THIS DAY. 



Article I. The central commission of international exchanges shall be 

 installed in one of the rooms of the third department of the oflice of 

 the secretary of the empire, and transact its business on such days and 

 at such hours as will not interfere with the ordinary business of the 

 office of the secretary. 



Art. II. The commission is charged — 



1. To correspond with similar institutions established in other countries, 

 with respect to all matters within its competency. 



2. To collect and transmit all information, scientific, literary, or con- 

 cerning the arts, which may be solicited of them. 



3. To have made, on behalf of the commissioners of other countries, 

 the necessary examinations in the libraries, archives, book-stores, and 

 other public and private establishments of the empire. 



S. Mis. 109 51 



