SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 1'^ 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, November 5, 1836. 

 I am following up the Smithsonian business, as you will 

 take for granted. This week I had an interview with the 

 counsel; but nothing has transpired calling for an official 

 letter to you since the one I wrote on the 24th of Septem- 

 ber. 



lilCHARD EUSH. 



John Forsyth to Richard Rush. 



Department of State, 



Washington, November 17, 1836. 



Sir : You will receive enclosed the copy of an account 

 presented to Daniel Brent, Esq., consul of the United Statea 

 at Paris, by ISI. Castaignet, a French attorney, of certain 

 fees charged by him for services rendered in relation to the 

 effects of Mr. James Henry Dickinson, deceased, alias de 

 la Batut, alias Ilungerford, nephew of the late James 

 Smithson, of London. Copies of Mr. Brent's letters of 

 2od October, 1835, and 14th August, 1836, explanatory of 

 the subject, are also sent. As the whole amount of the 

 fund appropriated by the act of Congress of 1st July, 1836, 

 for defraying the expenses incident to the prosecution of 

 tHe claim of the United States to the Smithsonian bequest, 

 are in your hands, and as the bill, if correct, is properly 

 chargeable to that fund, I have the honor to request that 

 you will examine this account; and if you shall deem it 

 just, and the amount reasonable, transmit to Mr. Brent the 

 sum necessary to discharge the claim. 



It may be proper also to allow to Mr. Delagrange, the 

 attorney consulted in this case by Mr. Brent, a fee for his 

 advice. You will perceive, however, that, before such an 

 allowance can be made, it will be requisite to obtain from 

 the latter precise information as to the amount of the 

 charge. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



John Forsyth. 

 . To Richard Rush, Esq., London. 



