6 SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 



mitted to the President, who has determined to lay the sub- 

 ject before Congress at its next session. The result of its 

 deliberations, when obtained, shall be communicated to 

 you, with the necessary instructions. 



Of the course intended to be pursued in relation to this 

 matter, as above explained, you will take occasion to ac- 

 quaint the solicitors who apprised you of the ex-istence of 

 Mr. Smithson's will. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



John Forsyth. 

 Aaron Vail, Esq., 



Charge d' Affaires of the United States, London. 



John Forsyth to Richard Bush. 



Department of State, Juli/ 11, 1836. 

 Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the President, 

 in pursuance of an act of Congress passed at their recent 

 session, has been pleased to appoint you the agent of the 

 United States to assert and prosecute their claim to the 

 legacy bequeathed to them by James Smithson, late of Lon- 

 don, deceased. Your power of attorney or commission is 

 herewith remitted, with an authenticated copy of the act 

 referred to annexed to it. It is the wish of the President 

 that 3'ou should, in the event of your acceptance of this 

 trust, embark for London without unnecessary loss of time, 

 to enter on the duties of the appointment. Previously to 

 leaving the United States, however, it will be necessary, in 

 compliance with the provisions of the accompanying act 

 of Congress, to execute to, and deposite with, the Secretarj-- 

 of the Treasury, with good and sufficient securities, to his 

 satisfaction, a bond or bonds, in the penal sum of ^500,000, 

 for the proper performance of those duties, and for the 

 faithful remittance to the Treasury of the United States of 

 such sum or sums of money, or other funds, as you may 

 receive in virtue of said bequest. 



The compensation to be allowed you for your services in 

 this capacity will be at the rate of $3,000 per annum for 

 your personal services, and at the rate of |2,000 for all 

 contingencies except the law expenses. Compensation to 

 begin from the day you report yourself ready to enter on 



