NO. 1 82 1 RICHARD RUSH — ABLER 247 



By chance the Institution has recently come into the possession of 

 a number of private letters written by Mr. Rush to Colonel Aspin- 

 wall, who was our Consul General at London during the period 

 covered by the suit, and who, according to Mr. Rush's official state- 

 ment, aided him greatly in his labors. Most of the letters refer to 

 the matter of the sale of securities in which Smithson's fortune was 

 invested. While in the main not important, these letters make an 

 interesting addition to the story of Mr. Rush's part in securing the 

 Smithson bequest. 



54 Upper Norton St., June 6, 1838. 

 My Dear Colonel: 



How would it do to throw overboard entirely the idea of commission on 

 effecting a sale of the stock, and charging one on a moderate or medium 

 scale rather than the high scale, take both these latter operations into your 

 own hands wholly, performing them in your own name to go before Con- 

 gress — where all items of my account are finally to be scrutinized? 



I should in that case naturally say in writing to the government that the 

 fund had naturally been saved all expense whatever of an agency for effect- 

 ing a sale of the stock in addition to brokerage, by the useful advice and as- 

 sistance I had derived from you. 



This might go a good way as a set off to objections that would be made 

 (unreasonably, but that probably would be made,) to your having any hand 

 whatever in the matter. 



Would not such a course be likely to come out better in the end, guarding 

 against ultimate recoil either upon you or me directly or collaterally? 



Perhaps the peculiar character of the fund which looks exclusively to the 

 interests of Letters and Science among us, would be thought to give it claims 

 to as little diminution as possible in passing on to its final destination. The 

 less taken from it, the better chance shall we have of coming off with flying 

 colours. 



I throw out these as things for consideration. Don't be at the trouble of 

 writing about them ; I shall certainly be with you on Friday at 12 or a little 

 after when we will talk them over ; remaining, as ever yours, 



R. R. 

 (Upon reverse :) 



54 Upper Norton St., 6th June, 1838. R. R. Rush. 



54 Upper Norton St., June 9, 1838. 

 My Dear Colonel: 



Understanding, if I have rightly understood, that you will perform all the 

 agencies necessary to enable me to realize in money the Smithsonian fund I 

 have recovered for the United States, convert it into gold, and ship it to the 

 U. S. for a commission of three quarters of one per cent, I will allow that 

 amount, feeling myself fortunate whilst acting for the U. S. to be able thus 

 to command your services on this interesting occasion : and although you 

 forego all commission or charge on effecting the sales of the stock, I am 

 greatly sensible of the benefit the fund derives in that important matter from 

 your counsel and personal cooperation, not only in being relieved from a com- 



