1144 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, and 
of the Independence of the ELIE States the one hundred and 
thirteenth. 
[SEAL] GROVER CLEVELAND 
By the President: 
T. F. Bayarp 
Secretary of State. 
March 1, 1889—Senate. 
The President pro tempore (Mr. J. J. Ineauus) laid before the Sen- 
ate a communication from the Secretary of State, transmitting a letter 
from Professor S. P. Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion. (Ex. Doc. 139). 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 
Washington, February 28, 1889. 
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter from Prof. 8. P. Langley, Secre- 
tary of the Smithsonian Institution, in reference to the legislative measures necessary 
for carrying into effect the convention between the United States and Belgium, 
Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Servia, and Spain for the immediate exchange of public 
documents, concluded at Brussels, March 15, 1886. 
The most efficient means for the purpose would seem to be a joint resolution of 
both Houses of Congress, and I therefore have the honor to suggest the inclosed 
draft as embodying Professor Langley’s views. 
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 
T. F. Bayarp. 
Hon. Joun J. INGALLS, 
President of the Senate pro tempore. 
Resolved, etc., That for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the 
convention between the United States of America, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, 
Servia, and Spain, concluded at Brussels, March 15, 1886, and ratified by the 
President July 19, 1888, the Public Printer is hereby authorized to supply the inter- 
national exchange office, with due promptness, a sufficient number of public docu- 
ments; and that, to meet the additional expense entailed for clerk hire and postage, 
the sum of $2,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be, and the same is 
hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 
Washington, D. C., February 26, 1889. 
Srr: In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, inclosing printed copies of the 
two conventions relative to the international exchange of official and other docu- 
ments, proclaimed on the 15th ultimo, and inquiring as to the ability of the Smith- 
sonian Institution to execute all of the provisions of those conventions without 
further legislation by Congress, I haye the honor to state that the convention first 
named in your letter does not change the usage now prevailing in the conduct of the 
exchange with the contracting nations, and that no further legislative action is 
_ required thereon. 
For the fulfillment of the obligations incurred by the second convention (for the 
immediate exchange of official journals, etc.), however, it will be necessary— 
(1) That the documents referred to be promptly and frequently furnished to the 
international exchange office; 
