"It can scarcely be doubted that an important impulse would be given by the Smithsonian Institution in this way to the cultivation of scientific pursuits, while the extensive and widely ramified system of distribution and exchange, by which the publications are to be distributed throughout the United States and the world, would insure them a circulation which works of science could scarcely attain in any other way."

The first volume of the Smithsonian "Contributions to Knowledge," a memoir on the ancient monuments of the Mississippi Valley (by Messrs. Squier & Davis), was published in 360 quarto pages in 1848, and during the following year was distributed to learned societies in the following countries:

In addition, the volume was liberally distributed to distinguished savans interested its subject, and to numerous institutions throughout our own country.

This was the starting point of a project for the diffusion, by a universal exchange, of scientific thought and its records as freely as the resources of the Institution should be able to procure it, and as widely as the cultivation of knowledge should extend. At the commencement of its system of exchanges the Institution was much trammelled by the great delays and considerable expenses attendant on custom-house requirements, but by earnest efforts and proper representation to Congress, the United States Government adopted the enlightened policy of admitting through our custom-houses, duty free, all scientific publications from foreign countries addressed to the Smithsonian Institution, whether for its own use or as presents to learned societies and individuals in any part of our country.

The efforts of the Institution were then directed to the procurement from foreign governments of the reciprocal favor of a similar liberality on their part. The following extract from the Secretary's report for 1851 will sufficiently indicate the steps first

taken:

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The promotion of knowledge is much retarded by the difficulties experienced in the way of a free intercourse between scientific and literary societies in different parts of the world. In carrying on the exchange of the Smithsonian volumes, it was neces sary to appoint a number of agents. Some of these are American consuls, and other responsible individuals, who have undertaken in most cases to transact the business free of all charge, and in others for but little more than the actual expense incurred. These agencies being established, other exchanges could be carried on through them, and our means of conveyance, at the slight additional expense owing to the small increase of weight; and we have accordingly offered the privileges of sending and receiving small packages through our agency to institutions of learning, and in some cases to individuals who chose to avail themselves of it; the offer has been accepted by a number

of institutions, and the result cannot fail to prove highly beneficial, by promoting a more ready communication between the literature and science of this country and the world abroad.

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As a part of the same system, application was made through Sir Henry Bulwer, the British minister at Washington, for a remission of duties on packages intended for Great Britain, and we are informed that a permanent arrangement will probably be made through the agency of the Royal Society for the free passage through the English custom-houses of all packages from this Institution.

"The Smithsonian exchanges are under the special charge of Professor Baird, who has been unwearied in his exertions to collect proper materials, and to reduce the whole to such order as will combine security with rapidity of transmission.

"The system of exchanges here described has no connection with that established between national governments by Mr. Vattemare. It is merely an extension of one which has been in operation, on a small scale, for nearly half a century, between the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy on this side of the Atlantic, and the several scientific societies on the other."

Early in 1852 Professor Henry addressed a communication to the vice president of the Royal Society of London, Col. Edward Sabine, with a view of obtaining the influence and co-operation of that distinguished body in the promotion of an unrestricted scientific interchange between the two great English countries.

This communication received a very prompt and favorable consideration from that society, and the following official response was placed by Professor Henry before the Board of Regents at its meeting, May 1, 1852, as follows:

ROYAL SOCIETY'S APARTMENTS, Somerset House, London, March 19, 1852.

MY DEAR SIR: I duly communicated to the Earl of Rosse, president of the Royal Society, your letter to me on the subjects 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 communication by a letter addressed to the president, which you will read in the inclosed 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 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 Institution, and through that Institution to other institutions and to individuals cultivating science in the United States. The move 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 Royal 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 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 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 Royal 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 Royal Society, and stated on the outside of the case or package to be 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 publications presented to them by institutions or individuals on the continent of Europeor elsewhere, should be addressed to the Royal Society as a channel of communication, the same facilities will be given by the board of customs, and the Royal 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, "for the Smithsonian Institution," and the foreign secretary of the Royal Society should be apprised of their being sent. Expenses of freight would of course be defrayed by the agent of the Smithsonian Institution. I am, my dear sir, with great respect and regard, very sincerely yours, EDWARD SABINE,

Prof. JOSEPH HENRY.

Vice-President and Treasurer of the Royal Society.

This, though an important concession, was still attended with considerable delay, and on farther solicitation the rule was so relaxed that all duties were practically remitted on books, not foreign reprints of British copyrights, and at present the Smithsonian agent finds no difficulty in obtaining the packages through the customhouse.

* *

Colonel Sabine's views on the subject were laid before the British Association in his address as president of that body, on occasion of their annual meeting in 1852. "Another subject which has occupied the attention of the parliamentary committee in the last year is one to which their attention was requested by the council of the association, with a view of carrying into effect the desire of the general committee for a more cheap and rapid international communication of scientific publications. The credit of the first move towards the accomplishment of this desirable object is due to the Government of the United States, by whom an arrangement was made for the admission, duty free, of all scientific books addressed as presents from foreign countries to all institutions and individuals cultivating science in that country, such books being sent through the Smithsonian Institution, by whom their distribution to their respective destinations was undertaken. This arrangement was notified to our government through the British minister at Washington, and a similar privilege was at the same time requested for the admission, duty free, into England, of books sent as presents from the United States to public institutions and individuals cultivating science in this country, under such regulations as might appear most fitting. This proposition gave rise to communications between the president of the Royal Society and the chairman of the parliamentary committee on the one part and the treasury and the principal commissioner of customs on the other; the result of which has been the concession of the privilege of admission, duty free, into England of scientific books from all countries, designed as presents to institutions and individuals named in lists to be prepared from time to time by the Royal Society, after communication with other scientific societies recognized by charter-under the regu lation, however, that the books are to be imported in cases, addressed to and passing through the Royal Society. This arrangement has come into operation; and it may be interesting to notice, as giving some idea of its extensive bearing, that the first arrival from the United States, which has taken place under these regulations consists of packages weighing in all not less than three tons.

"There is another branch of the same subject, which is more difficult to arrange, viz, The international communication by post of scientific pamphlets and papers at reduced rates of postage. The parliamentary committee have directed their attention to this part of the subject also; and I earnestly hope that their exertions will be sucessful."

In his annual report for 1852 Professor Henry states:

"The whole number of articles received during 1852 is 4,744, which is more than three times that of all the previous years. The publications received in many cases consist of entire sets of transactions, the earlier volumes of which are out of print and cannot be purchased. They are of use in carrying on the various investigations of the Institution, and of value to the country as works of reference.

"The principal object, however, of the distribution of the Smithsonian volumes is not to procure a large library in exchange, but to diffuse among men a knowledge of the new truths discovered by the agency of the Smithsonian fund. The worth and importance of the Institution is not to be estimated by what it accumulates within the walls of its building, but by what it sends forth to the world. Its great mission ́is to fi c ́litate the use of implements of research, and to diffuse the knowledge which this use may develop. The Smithsonian publications are sent to some institutions abroad, and to the greater majority of those at home, without any return except, in some cases, that of co-operation in meteorological and other observations.

"In carrying out this plan the Institution is much indebted to the liberal course adopted by the Government of Great Britain and the ready co-operation of the Royal Society of London. All packages intended for Great Britain, for some parts of the continent, and the East Indies, are directed to the Royal Society, and on the certificate of its president are, by a special order of the government, admitted duty free, and without the delay and risk of inspection. The packages are afterwards distributed by the agent of the Institution, or by those of the society.

"This system of exchanges does not stop here. The Royal Society has adopted the same plan with reference to Great Britain and all other parts of the world; and the Smithsonian Institution, in turn, becomes an agent in receiving and distributing all packages which the society desires to send to this country. A general system of international communication, first started by this Institution for the distribution of its own publications, has thus been established which will tend to render the results of the labors of each country in the line of literature and science common to all, and to produce a community of interest and of relations of the highest importance to the advancement of knowledge and of kindly feeling among men."

So rapidly and generally was the beneficent work of the Smithsonian Institution

recognized and appreciated abroad, that in his report for the year 1854 the secretaryProfessor Henry-announced: "There is no port to which the Smithsonian parcels are shipped where duties are charged ou them, a certified invoice of contents by the secretary being sufficient to. pass them through the custom-house free of duty. On the other hand, all packages addressed to the Institution arriving at the ports of the United States, are admitted, without detention, duty free. This system of exchange is therefore the most extensive and efficient which has ever been established in any country." And in the following year, 1355, the secretary remarked in continuation of the subject: "The Smithsonian agency is not confined to the transmission of works from the United States, but is extended to those from Canada, South and Central America, and in its foreign relations embraces every part of the civilized world. It is a ground of just congratulations to the regents that the Institution, by means of this part of the plan of its organization, is able to do so much towards the advance of knowledge.'

The system of international exchange of literary and scientific productions thus established, naturally developed into two distinct branches:

The foreign exchange, or the distribution abroad of publications by the Smithsonian and by other American institutions.

The domestic exchange, or the distribution within the United States of publications by foreign establishments.

To this might be added, as a third branch, the introduction in 1867 of a separate system of government exchange.

FOREIGN EXCHANGES.

The Smithsonian Institution, in undertaking to extend the system of international exchange of literary and scientific publications, communicated its purpose to the chief learned societies throughout the country, with a proffer of its services to the end in view. The principal bodies responding to its invitation were the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston; the Boston Natural History Society, the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, the United States Coast Survey, the Naval Observatory at Washington, and a few others. The Hon. Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, at the instance of the Institution (seconded by the authors), embraced the opportunity of presenting to about one hundred and fifty establishments in Europe (selected from the Smithsonian list) copies of Schoolcraft's history of the Indian tribes. In this case the Institution requested the recipients to return a special acknowledgement to the Commissioner of the Indian Bureau. Numerous documents of scientific interest published by Congress were, through the personal liberality of members in distributing their copies, received from the Senate Document Room for transmission abroad. The Senate also assigned to the Institution three hundred copies of Foster and Whitney's report on the copper lands of Lake Superior; one hundred copies of Owen's report on the geology of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; and one hundred copies of Stansbury's report on the exploration of Utah, for foreign distribution. In the Smithsonian report for 1854, the secretary states: "During the past year the number of societies availing themselves of the facilities thus offered has largely increased, including among others nearly all the State agricultural societies of America publishing transactions. This result has been produced by a circular which was issued by the Institution early in the spring of last year, to make known more generally the system of exchange. Copious returns are being constantly received for the societies, and an intercourse is thus established which cannot fail to produce important results, both in an intellectual and moral point of view."

As an indication of some of the incidental benefits conferred by this extensive system of exchange, a few special transmissions may be cited.

In 1867, at the suggestion of Hon. John Bigelow, late American minister to France, a request was made by the Institution that some of the principal publishers of schoolbooks in this country would furnish copies of their elementary text-books, in order that these might be presented to Professor E. Laboulaye, of the College of France, for examination, with a view to the application of some of their peculiar features to the purposes of instruction in his own country. The character of this distinguished professor, and his known admiration of American institutions, secured for this request the prompt and liberal response of several publishers, a list of whom, with the number of works contributed, is as follows:

Professor Laboulaye, in acknowledging the receipt of these 174 volumes, says: These books form the admiration of all who take an interest in education, and I hope that France will profit by this example. We have excellent things at home by which you in turn might profit, but we have seen nothing comparable to your readers, your object lessons, your graphics, and your geographical series."

The Institution in like manner frequently received applications from foreign governments and societies for official publications of the States, of general government, relative to certain branches of political economy, statistics, education, &c. During the year 1868 a request of this kind was received from the Belgian Government desiring us to procure all the publications of the States in regard to public schools.

In answer to our circular asking for these documents, a large and valuable collection was received, for which thanks of the Institution were returned to the following persons, namely: To A. Rogers, second auditor of Virginia; T. Jordan, secretary of state, Pennsylvania; S. C. Jackson, assistant secretary board of education, Massachusetts; J. A. Morris, school commissioner, Ohio; N. Bateman, superintendent of education. Illinois; C. J. Hoadley, state librarian, Connecticut; F. Rodman, secretary of state, Missouri; R. A. Barker, secretary of state, Kansas; Ed. Wright, secretary of state, Iowa; C. W. Wright, secretary of state, Delaware; J. E. Tenney, secretary of state, Michigan, and the secretary of state, Wisconsin.

Another application of a similar character was received from the Government of Norway for the publications of the United States relative to military affairs, which, on being referred to the heads of departments and bureaus, secured a large number of the desired publications. Acknowledgments for these favors are due to General E. D. Townsend, Adjutant-General; General A. A. Humphreys, Chief Engineer, United States Army; Surgeon-General Barnes; Paymaster-General Brice; General Dyer, Chief of Ordnance; Commodore Jenkins, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, Navy Department; General Meyer, Chief Signal Officer.

For official co-operation with the Institution in its plans for the promotion of knowledge and important assistance rendered, besides the foregoing, we may mention Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State; Hon. Hugh McCullough, Secretary of the Treas ury; Hon. Horace Capron, Commissioner of Agriculture; General Meigs, Quartermaster-General; Mr Spofford, Librarian of Congress; Professor J. H. C. Coffin, Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac, and Commodore Sands, of the National Observatory.

Acknowledgments are also due for favors rendered in connection with foreign exchanges to E. J. Davison, esq., Argentine consul; José I. Sanchez, esq., cousul of Venezuela; Señor B. Blanco, consul-general of Guatemala; L. H. J. D'Aguir, consul-general of Brazil; R. C. Burlage, consul-general of Netherlands; Hon. E. Juteirez, minister from Costa Rica; to the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions; Real Sociedad Economica, Havana; Board of Foreign Missions, New York; American Colonization Society, Washington; Society of Geography and Statistics, Mexico; University of Chili; Bataviaasche Genootschap, Java; Institute of History, Geography, and Ethnology, of Rio Janeiro.

It is not alone from societies or public bodies that works are received by the Institution for gratuitous distribution at home and abroad among libraries or establishments of learning where they may obtain appreciation. Copies of works produced by private enterprise are not infrequently sent to the Institution by individuals who cannot afford the additional expense attendant upon their desired transmission to distant and scattered points.

In most cases the list of distribution is made out by the parties sending the copies, but sometimes the selection of recipients is left to the Institution.

Among the articles distributed in this way was the narrative of an exploration to Musardo, the capital of the western Mandigoes, through the country east of Liberia, by Benjamin Anderson, a young man of pure negro blood. The narrative was printed without correction from the original manuscript, at the expense of Mr. H. M. Shieffelin, of New York, and nearly the whole of the edition was presented to the Institution for distribution.

LIBERALITY OF TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES.

The rapid extension of the Smithsonian exchanges soon became a heavy tax upon the resources of the Institution; and the conduct of its principal function (“the increase of knowledge among men" by the promotion of original research and discovery) was threatened with being crippled and overridden by the demands of a service really held as incidental and subordinate thereto. With a view to diminish, if possible, the expenses involved, the Institution, in 1855, addressed several of the leading transatlantic steamship companies, unfolding its methods, and asking, iu consideration of the great public benefit of the system, the favor of reduced rates of freight upon this particular service.

With a liberality and public spirit which cannot be too highly admired, the transportation companies, as addressed, agreed to carry the freights of the Smithsonian