_Resolved_ that the secretary of the commonwealth, under the direction of his Excellency the Governor, be authorized to exchange copies of the state map of Massachusetts, not exceeding twenty in number, and bound copies of the laws and legislative documents of the commonwealth for the current political year, not exceeding fifty volumes of each for books and other works of science and art from foreign countries, to be deposited in the library of the general Court. And the secretary is hereby authorized to cause fifty copies of each of the said documents for every future year to be printed over and above the number to be bound in volumes and set aside for the purpose of effecting therefore said exchanges hereafter[2]. _Resolved_ that his Excellency the Governor be authorized to appoint some suitable person, residing in the city of Paris, France, to be the agent of the commonwealth, in transmitting to, and receiving from the secretary's office all such books and other works of science and art, as may be addressed to his care, in pursuance of the object of the preceding resolve, and to audit and allow all reasonable charges of said agent, for the receiving, packing carriage and exportation of said objects of exchange; provided, that the total sum so expended, shall not exceed three hundred dollars. House of Representatives, February 26, 1845. Passed. SAML H. WALLEY JR., Speaker. In Senate, February 27, 1845. Passed. LEVI LINCOLN, President. February 27, 1845. Approved. GEO. N. BRIGGS. Secretary's office, March 15, 1845. A true copy. Attest. JOHN G. PALFREY, Secretary. [2] According to this resolve 150 volumes of legislative documents, 13 copies of the geological reports, 52 scientific reports, 20 maps, have been transmitted. * * * * * My dear Sir, I send you herewith a copy of Resolves passed by our legislature at its present session. I have it in charge from his excellence the Governor to say that he requests you to accept the appointment of agent under the second of the resolves, and that he has no doubt that this commonwealth will derive important benefits from your enlightened and liberal exertions. I am, dear sir, with the highest regard Your friend and servant, JOHN G. PALFREY, Secretary of the commonwealth. To A. VATTEMARE, Esq. Paris, France. STATE OF VIRGINIA. Executive Department, Richmond Virginia, August 19, 1845. Sir, Your letter of the 28th December last to the Governor of Virginia has been placed in my hands and will be submitted to the committee of the Legislature on the state library at its annual meeting in December next.