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Paris, December 25, 1844
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF Tennessee.
Sir,
I take the liberty of soliciting you to lay before the Legislature of your State, at as is convenient, the substance of the following remarks on the international exchange of the productions of nature, art and mind--a system which has received so many testimonials of approbation from the great, good and gifted of the present age, that I cannot but think you will approve of it, and lend your powerful aid to promote it.
It is a lamentable fact that the United-States does not now occupy that rank in European estimation to which her social and national position entitle her. She is either seen through the distorted medium of a foreign press, or judged from the narrations of prejudiced travellers, who visit her shores merely to discover such faults and foibles as will enable them to make a saleable book--regardless of the scriptural injunction by which they should first see their home-failings.
Had the people of Europe an opportunity of learning your wise and salutary laws;--the peaceful and yet powerful workings of your free government;--your admirable instatutions for the punishment of vice and the relief of honest poverty;--the freedom of your religious views, and the univeral means of education which you possess;--your public works and public press, rivalling each other in public benefit; your immense natural resources and the enterprising industry of your citizens.--Could this knowledge but be diffused here, Europe would at once be forced to respect and admire you,--and while proud that your continent was peopled by her sons--receive her citizens as brothers--as equals in this civilized and enlightened age.
This desideratum can easily be obtained.--A few of the extra-copies of the public documents which I learn fill lumber rooms in many of your capitols;--a collection of your laws--an extra-copy or two of the works of your authors and editors, who I confidently assert will cheerfully contribute them--and a collection of your minerals--and the work is accomplished. The veil of ingnorance which shuts out your country from view will fall and she will stand in the eyes of Europe in her true dignity and glory, illuminated by the blaze of intellectual light, ever radiated from the constellation of stars that deck her standard! She will be known. She needs but to be known to be appreciated, admired and respected.
But your state will reap a rich reward for thus elevating the national character. The treasures which have for centuries been accumulating in the vast storehouses of European knowledge--the works of her artists, inspired by the master pieces of the world--the laws founded on the experience of ages, which direct her vast governments and protect her immense population--will be sent you with a profuse hand in exchange for what will cost you a mere triffle.--Value, intrinsic value, will not for a moment be taken into consideration. The Bulletin des Lois (240 volumes), have already been sent for a copy of the revised statues of one of your sister States, and you may expect a similar prolific return; a rattle snake or a lizard may procure a copy of the Venus de Medicis,--a State map, the Geological map of France, published at a cost of 500 francs per copy, and not to be purchased. In short, while the first mentioned object will be gloriously effected--you will be real gainers by the exchange, and fill your state library, or the collection of your University, with what it would cost immense sums to purchase. Indeed, a large porportion of the books and works of art thus to be obtained, belong to Government, and cannot be purchased. Upwards of four thousand scientific and useful Works, Maps, splendid Engravings, a great number of fine Medals, Statues, ect., have already been presented to me by our Legislative Chambers, our Ministers, city Corporation, Academies, Universities, Authors, Artists, and Publishers, to be distributed in the United-States in token of their sympathy; and in return for a few hundred Books, Maps, Reports, Pamphlets and Engravings, brought by me from America, and distributed in the name of the States where they were presented to me, among our ministerial and public establishments.
The question naturally arises:--How is this exchange to be effected? Certainly not by the minister of the United-States, for he could not descend from his diplomqatic position to attend to its details, even had he time to look after them. He could not change is mind with all the new works, that he might demand them as they appeared. He could not ask a minister for a work for a State, for he would not like to risk being refused, as it would be an insult to his diplomatic character. Nor would he, in the misdst of one of those national fits of coldness which too often occur, when every word is formal and every thought disguised, write a letter of thanks to your, or any other State, couched in the friendly and fraternal terms which should ever characterise scientific or literary intercourse.--Besides he is often changed, and ere he could become accustomed to the routine, might resign or be replaced by the Government, giving place to a successor yet more ignoant of it.--This last reason is equally applicable to the Consul, who is regarded in this country as a mercantile agent.
Since my return from America I have been unceasingly occupied in establishing a depot for international Exchanges. A place where every State can forward the productions of her intellect, industry, government and natural resources, and exhibit them to Europe, for Paris is the literary and intellectual centre of the continent. A place from whence they can be discriminatingly distributed among those of our ministerial, and public libraries to whom they specially belong, and by whom they will be duly appreciated. A place where the Government, Writers, Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, Geologists, and others learned sons of France, can offer their gifts to the members of the American family; as a token of brotherly sympathy, and in memory of those glorious days of yore, when their fathers marched shoulder to shoulder over victorious fields with the patriots of '76.--The two nations then fought against despotism--let them again join in fraternity to unchain the human mind and elevate a Republic of letters which shall not be jarred by petty conflicts, but march proudly on to perfection over the broad pathway of mental improvement, with Knowledge inscribed on her banner, Reason for a shield and the sword of Truth.
I have established this Depot by request of many of the first men of both continents, and have been appointed as their agent to effect exchanges, by the Legislature of the State of Maine and the national Institute of the District of Columbia--Nor do I hesitate to invite the legislature of your State to enter into the compact. I ask a small appropriation to cover the expenses of transportation, postage, ect. for having devoted my time and property for years to this undertaking. My means do not allow me to defray the expenses longer,-- neither do I believe it would be acceptable to you to have me. Nor do I ask the Legislature to vote an appropriation for the support to a Scientific Agency in Europe, merely to aid me--but, above all, to secure its permancy. Were I forced by death or want of support to leave the office, it would be difficult to find (not a more able person than myself) but one who would devote his whole energy to so arduous a task, and sacrifice to it his time and fortune without being remunerated for his labours.--Then all the fruits of my untiring exertions--all the sympathy I have been so fortunate as to awake on both sides of the Atlantic will be lost; and the edifice which the wisest men of your country have been helping me to erect, will fall to the ground, and all the traces of it vanish with my name.--I would take the liberty of suggesting that one half of the sum thus granted be devoted to the Agency, and the other half be employed for the acquistion of scientific Works, Specimens of natural history, etc., of the State, to be added to the Documents and Works belonging to the Legislature, destined for international exchanges with Europe. In conclusion, I can but say that if your Legislature is disposed to uphold me, I pledge my exertions to promote her interests, and without making windy protestations, ask that i may be judged by the fruits of my labours.
I am, Sir, with great respect, your Excellency's,
Most obedient servant,
Alexandre Vattemare
P.S. My address is ALEXANDRE VATTEMARE, 48, rue de Clichy.