402 The Smithsonian Institution 



change 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 Insti- 

 tution. I accompanied this communication by a letter ad- 

 dressed to the President, which you will read in the enclosed 

 printed minutes of the Council of the Royal Society of January 

 15, 1852, The subject has since been brought by the Earl 

 of Rosse under the consideration of Her Majesty's govern- 

 ment, 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 scien- 

 tific books sent as presents from this country to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, and through that Institution to other insti- 

 tutions, and to individuals, cultivating science in the United 

 States. The mode which has been suggested by our Board 

 of Customs, for admitting duty free scientific publications de- 

 signed for this country, and which, we hope, will receive the 

 approval of the Treasury, is, that a list should be furnished by 

 the Royal Society of the names of all institutions and indi- 

 viduals 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 Royal Society — the list to be amended or extended 

 from time to time. The Royal Society will gladly take charge 

 of and distribute under these regulations the books which the 

 Smithsonian Institution may send for institutions and indi- 

 viduals 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 con- 

 venience, 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 Royal Society will also gladly receive and forward to 

 their ultimate destination (where such assistance may be use- 

 ful) packages containing publications of a similar description, 



