FOBTY-FIRST CONGEESS, 1869-1871. 687 



March 3, 1871. 



Sundry civil act for 1872. 



Smithsonian Institution: For preservation of the collections of the 

 surveying and exploring expeditions of the Government, $10,000. 



For the completion of the hall required for the Government collec- 

 tions, $10,000. 



(Stat., XVI, 500.) 



PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. 



March 3, 1871. 



Whereas the Declaration of Independence of the United States of 

 America was prepared, signed, and promulgated in the year 1776 in 

 the city of Philadelphia; and whereas it behooves the people of the 

 United States to celebrate, by appropriate ceremonies, the centennial 

 anniversary of this memorable and decisive event, which constituted 

 the fourth day of July, anno Domini 1776, the birthday of the nation; 

 and whereas it is deemed fitting that the completion of the first cen- 

 tury of our national existence shall be commemorated by an exhibi- 

 tion of the natural resources of the country and their development, 

 and of its progress in those arts which benefit mankind, in comparison 

 with those of older nations; and whereas no place is so appropriate 

 for such an exhibition as the city in which occurred the event it is 

 designed to commemorate; and whereas, as the exhibition should be 

 a national celebration, in which the people of the whole country 

 should participate, it should have the sanction of the Congress of the 

 United States: Therefore, 



Be it enacted, etc., That an exhibition of American and foreign arts, 

 products, and manufactures shall be held, under the auspices of the 

 Government of the United States, in the city of Philadelphia, in the 

 year 1876. 



SEC. 2. That a commission to consist of not more than one delegate 

 from each State, and from each Territory of the United States, whose 

 functions shall continue until the close of the exhibition, shall be con- 

 stituted, whose duty it shall be to prepare and superintend the execu- 

 tion of a plan for holding the exhibition, and, after conference with 

 the authorities of the city of Philadelphia, to fix upon a suitable site 

 within the corporate limits of the said city, where the exhibition shall 

 be held. 



SEC. 3. That said commissioners shall be appointed within one year 

 from the passage of this act by the President of the United States, 

 on the nomination of the governors of the States and Territories, 

 respectively. 



SEC. 4. That in the same manner there shall be appointed one com- 

 missioner from each State and Territory of the United States, who 

 shall assume the place and perform the duties of such commissioner 



