HISTORY OF THE SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGES. 771 



gress approved by tlie President of the United States, March 2, 1SG7 

 (Stat., vol. xiv, p. 573) ; July 25, 1SG8 (Stat., vol. xv, p. 2G0) ; sec. 370G 

 Eev. Stat. 



As to the question what official documents the United States Gov- 

 ernment desires to receive Irom Great Britain, I would say that as the 

 United States Government intends to send a fidl set of everything- that 

 is ijrinted at the government expense, a similar return would be ex- 

 pected of all documents published by the British Government. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Joseph Henry, 

 Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. 



[The State Department to the Smithsonian Institution. ] 



Department of State, Washington, March 23, 1877. 



Prof. Joseph Henky, 



Washington, B. C, <&€., <&€., &c. : 



Sir: I inclose herewith, for your information, a copy of a dispatch of 



the 7th instant, ISTo. 138, from Mr. Pierrepont, the minister for the United 



States at London, relating to the subject of international exchange of 



public documents. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



F. W. Seward, 



Assistant Secretary, 

 llnclosure."] 



Ko. 138.] Legation of the United States, 



London, March 7, 1877. 

 Hon. Hamilton Eish, 



Secretary of State, &c., &e., &c., Washington, D. C: 

 Sir : I received sometime since from Professor Henry, of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, a letter in relation to the international exchange of 

 documents between the United States and Great Britain, and inclosing 

 a circular upon the subject. 



I was not able conveniently to bring the matter to the attention of 

 Lord Derby until the 20th of October last, when I sent to him a copy of 

 Dr. Henry's letter and ckcular, and requested him to refer the subject 

 to the proper authorities. 



He acknowledged the receipt of my communication on the 31st of 

 October, but it was not until the 1st instant that I received from his 

 lordship a definite answer to Dr. Henry's proposal, a copj* of whicli 

 answer I herewith inclose, and ask that you will do me the favor to 

 communicate it to Dr. Henry. 



I have the honor to be, 

 With great respect, your obedient servant, 

 Edwards Pierrepont. 



