Chap. 189.—JOINT RESOLUTION in Relation to an International Exhibi-
tion of Industry and Arts.

Approved March 23, 1871. .

Whereas, on the fourth day of July, Anno Domini one thou-
sand seven hundred and seventy-six, at the city of Philadel-
phia, in the state of Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, written by Thomas Jefferson, of the state of Vir-
ginia, was promulgated by the congress then in session; and
whereas, the delegates from this state voted for and subscribed
to the same, declaring the United States to be a free and inde-
pendent nation; and whereas, afterwards, in the city of Phila-
delphia, on the seventeenth day of September, Anno Domini
seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, the constitution of the
United States was adopted by a national convention, at which
George Washington, of Virginia, presided; and whereas, it is
proposed to appropriately celebrate the great event of the
Declaration of Independence on its centennial anniversary, after
the proclamation thereof, by an exhibition of the products of
the country, of manufactures and of the arts, showing the
progress and development of our county in comparison with
other nations of the world; and whereas, it is eminently pro-
per that such exhibition be held in the city in which said inde-
pendence was declared and proclaimed, and which is associated
with so many events connected with the commencement of
our history as a nation; and whereas, in view of these con-
siderations a bill has been passed by the congress of the United
States providing for the holding of such exhibition in the city
of Philadelphia, commencing on the fourth day of July, Anno
Domini eighteen hundred and seventy-six, and we approving of
lg plan proposed of celebrating said anniversary; therefore,
e it ,

Resolved, That the inhabitants of the states which were a
part of Virginia, at the time of the passage of the Declaration
of Independence, be and they are hereby invited to participate
with this commonwealth in the proposed exposition, com-
mencing on the fourth day of July, eighteen hundred and
seventy-six. . |

Resolved, That the president of the senate and the speaker
of the house of delegates be instructed to appoint committees
from their respective bodies, to consist of three from the
senate and five from the house of delegates, to visit the city of
Philadelphia for the purpose of conferring with the local com-
mittee of that city having the subject in charge, and recom-
mending such further steps as may be necessary to be taken
by the state of Virginia in furtherance of said international
centennial exposition: provided, that nothing herein contained
shall justify or require an appropriation from the treasury.

Resolved, That the governor of this commonwealth, be re-
quested to cause copies of these resolutions to be forwarded
to the governors of the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Wes® Virginia.