Movement of the International Literary Exchanges, between France and North America from January 1845 to May, 1846: With Instructions for Collecting, Preparing, and Forwarding Objects of Natural History Written by The Professors Administrators of The Museum Of Natural History At Paris. And Instructions Relative to Anthropology and Zoology
History
Movement of the International Literary Exchanges, between France and North America from January 1845 to May, 1846: With Instructions for Collecting, Preparing, and Forwarding Objects of Natural History Written by The Professors Administrators of The Museum Of Natural History At Paris. And Instructions Relative to Anthropology and Zoology
Exchange of publications
following paragraph how little is the encouragement or gratitude
for his substantial friendship and zeal:
"It is a matter of great distress to me not to have it in my
power to defray all the expenses of packing, of custom-house
dues, commissions, and transportation from Paris to Washington,
but I really cannot do it. Recollect that since 1839 to the
present time, I have devoted all my time, industry and fortune,
to the exclusive object of establishing an intellectual union
between Europe and America; that _I have never received the
slightest pecuniary assistance from my own country_; and that the
first and only encouragement of that character ever vouchsafed to
me was the amount of _two hundred dollars_, so generously
subscribed last year by the members of the National Institute,
and two hundred and fifty dollars (out of three hundred) voted by
the State of Maine. For the maintenance of an agency in Paris for
national literary interchanges, the State of Massachusetts,
stimulated by an enlightened and patriotic spirit, voted, during
the last session of its Legislature, a like most generous
allocation. Were all her sister States to follow so noble an
example, by voting a small sum, according to their population and
their intellectual wants, a fund might easily be established,
amply sufficient to cover all the expenses incurred in
maintaining an United States scientific and literary agency in
Paris, the benefits of which would be incalculable."
On this vital point (of exchanges) a report was made in February,
1842, by Mr. Markoe, the accomplished and indefatigable
Corresponding Secretary. It exhibits the very great importance of
them, as entering essentially into the plan of every society
constituted like this and having like objects in view, and it
shows that no occasion has been omitted to acquaint societies and
individuals, whose correspondence has been sought or offered,
that a system of general exchanges would be entered upon as soon
as a plan should be matured. Under that assurance, and
independently of it also, (it is added) valuable collections of
various kinds have already been received, which render it
incumbent on the directors to redeem the pledge that has been
given. For this object the members are informed that they have
already in hands the most abundant materials, which were
increasing, and would continue to increase every day.
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Secretary's office. Harisburg Oct. 25th 1844.
To Alexandre Vattemare esq.
Sir,
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