SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 43 



quested they would furnish me with a further communica- 

 tion. The court rose a few days ago, and I yesterday re- 

 ceived from them the report, a copy of which (No. 3) is now 

 ftlso transmitted, as the suitable accompaniment to their 

 letter of the 22d of July. 



I am happy to find it more satisfactory than that letter ; 

 the letter left it doubtful when the obstructing claim of 

 Madame de la Batut, an outline of which is given in their 

 letter, would be put into a proper shape for examination 

 and settlement. Nor could I urge any longer the expedi- 

 ency of a report by the master, during the existence of the 

 term, under reiterated assurances from our solicitors of 

 what is stated in their letter, viz : that to do so might have 

 led to a course, on the part of the solicitors of Madame de 

 la Batut, productive of more delay and expense than are 

 likely to flow from the master's report being withheld 

 until the next term. 



The solicitors' report to me, dated j-esterday, besides im- 

 bodying a succinct statement of the steps taken in the 

 cause since the decree in February, shows that the la Batut 

 claim is at length placed upon a footing to be met and de- 

 cided upon by the court, which it has been my constant 

 aim to see effected ; and although they write with caution 

 as to any precise time when a final and favorable decision 

 of the cause on all its points may be expected, their report 

 is encouraging. I can only add, that nothing shall be 

 omitted by me when the court recommences, or during the 

 vacation, towards securing as prompt an issue to the whole 

 proceedings as may be found practicable. 



I have the honor to remain, with great respect, your 

 obedient servant, 



EicHARD Rush. 



The Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary of State. 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, October 18, 1837. 



Sir : Since transmitting the duplicate of my No. 15, 



nothing material has occurred for your information. The 



long autumnal vacation has been going on, and is not yet 



expired. The business of the court of chancery has there- 



