82 BOARD OF REGENTS. 



gentleman had acted as the agent of the institution for all the libra- 

 ries and learned institutions of central and northern Europe, and 

 that about two hundred letters and copies of letters had been re- 

 ceived from him. 



On motion of Mr. Pearee, it was — 



Resolved, That one hundred and fifty dollars he added to the sum allowed to Dr. 

 Fliigel for the present year. 



The Secretary placed before the Board a letter from Lieutenant 

 Colonel Edward Sabine, R. A., of the Royal Society of London, of 

 which the following is a copy : 



Eoyal Society's Apartments, 

 Somerset House, London, March 19, 1852. 



My Dear Sir : I duly communicated to the Earl of Kosse, President of the Royal 

 Society, your letter to me on the subject of the interchange of scientific publications 

 between the United States and this country, and the admission into England, duty 

 free, of scientific books and memoirs presented to institutions or to individuals here, 

 either by or through the Smithsonian Institution. I accompanied this communica- 

 tion by a letter addressed to the president, which you will read in the enclosed printed 

 minutes of the council of the Eoyal Society of January 15, 1852. The subject has 

 since been brought by the Earl of Eosse under the consideration of her Majesty's 

 government, who have shown, as might be expected, much readiness to meet, in the- 

 same spirit, the liberal example which has been set by the United States, in exempting 

 from duty scientific books sent as presents from this country to the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, and through that institution to other institutions, and to individuals, cultivat- 

 ing science in the United States. The mode which has been suggested by our Board 

 of Customs, for admitting duty free scientific publications designed for this country, 

 and which, we hope, will receive the approval of the treasury, is, that a list should 

 be furnished by the Eoyal Society of the names of all institutions and individuals to 

 whom such works may be expected to be addressed, when the custom-house officers 

 will have directions to pass without duty all such publications having the names of 

 such institutions or persons inscribed either on the cover or on the title page, which 

 are sent to this country in packages directed to the Eoyal Society — the list to be 

 amended or extended from time to time. The Eoyal Society will gladly take charge 

 of and distribute under these regulations the books which the Smithsonian Institution 

 may send for institutions and individuals in this country, receiving them from the 

 agent in London appointed by the Smithsonian Institution ; and I shall be obliged by 

 your furnishing me, at your earliest convenience, with a list, as complete as you may 

 be able to make it, of the names of the institutions and persons to whom books or 

 memoirs are likely to be sent. 



The Eoyal Society will also gladly receive and forward to their ultimate destination 

 (where such assistance may be useful) packages containing publications of a similar 

 description, designed for institutions and individuals on the continent of Europe; 

 such packages being directed to the Eoyal Society, and stated on the outside of the 

 case or package to he from the Smithsonian Institution. The customs' duties will, in 

 such cases, be either altogether remitted or returned on re-exportation. 



If it be a convenience to the cultivators of science in the United States, that publi- 

 cations presented to them by institutions or individuals on the continent of Europe, 

 or elsewhere, should be addressed to the Eoyal Society as a channel of communication, 

 the same facilities will be given by the Board of Customs, and the Eoyal Society will, 

 with pleasure, make the required arrangements. It will be necessary, in such cases, 

 that packages arriving from the continent of Europe or elsewhere should be marked 

 on the outside, u for the Smithsonian Institution ," and the foreign Secretary of the 

 Eoyal Society should be apprised of their being sent. Expenses of freight would of 

 course be defrayed by the agent of the Smithsonian Institution. 



I remain, my dear sir, with great respect and regard, very sincerely yours, 



EDWARD SABINE, 

 Vice-President and Treasurer of the Royal Society* 



