24^ SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS [vOL. 45 



Consular Service, U. S. A. 



Genoa, Italy, November 24th, 1903. 

 Dr. S. p. Langley, 



Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D. C. 

 Dear Sir: 



Referring to my letter of June 30th last, I now forward enclosed 

 circular letter just received, which shows that the final step in the 

 demolition of the old British Cemetery is about to be taken. If you 

 have any desires to express as to the disposition of the remains of 

 James Smithson, and instructions to give, these should be made 

 known with as little delay as possible. 



You will see by my letter above mentioned that there is a tradi- 

 tion here of some opposition to the removal of James Smithson's 

 body to America on the part of relatives in Europe. I was informed 

 at the British Consulate that the source and character of this opposi- 

 tion has been made known at some time to the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution. I can learn nothing further of it here. You are therefore 

 in possession of such information as can be had for your guidance in 

 adopting a course of action as to the disposition of the remains. 

 You will notice that instructions are requested by the Cemetery 

 Committee before January ist, 1904. 



I am quite at your service in the matter of any assistance that 

 may be needed here. 



I am informed by the Agent of the Ame?rican Express Company 

 here, he would transport the body to Washington for $203. This 

 would not include taking up the body nor the cofiin, the boxing, etc. 

 A Government tax of 360 lire (approximately $72.00) has also to 

 be paid on every body taken out of the country. The total expense 

 at a rough estimate might come to $400.00 or to $500.00 if some- 

 thing unusually handsome in the way of a casket were called for. 

 All due economy would be used. 



Believe me 



Very truly yours, 



William Henry Bishop, 



U. S. Consul. 



{Enclosure) 



Genoa, November 23, 1903. 

 Sir, 



We have the honor to inform you that the old British Cemetery, 

 on the heights of San Benigno in this city, has been expropriated 

 by the Italian authorities, and will shortly be demolished. 



The remain^ of all persons buried there will be removed to the 

 new British Cemetery at public expense, and the tombstones will 

 also be removed, and re-erected over the new graves, by the under- 

 signed Committee, unless otherwise desired by the representatives 

 of the deceased. 



It has been impossible to ascertain the addresses of these repre- 

 sentatives in every case, and this letter is sent to you with reference 

 to the grave of James Smithson. 



