SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 45 



objection. I will therefore ask the favor of such a power; 

 and as I am at present sanguine in the expectation of a 

 favorable as well as early decision, should nothing unforeseen 

 arise, its transmission as soon as convenient after this re- 

 quest gets to hand might prove desirable. 



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

 obedient servant. 



ElCHARD EUSH. 



The Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary/ of State. 



John Forsijt}) to Bichord Rush. 



Department of State, November 13, 1837. 



Sir : The account heretofore rendered by Mr. Brent, our 

 consul at Paris, for moneys expended by him in precaution- 

 ary measures to obtain for the United States certain prop- 

 erty supposed to belong to the estate of the late Mr. Smith- 

 son, of London, and which formed the subject of a letter of 

 instructions to you, dated the 17th of November last, has 

 been again presented to this Department for consideration. 

 After a proper examination, the President deems it just 

 that the charge for the professional services of Messrs. Cas- 

 taignet and Delagrange should be allowed and paid. You 

 are accordingly authorized and requested to discharge Mr. 

 Brent's bill amounting to 272.25 francs, without unnecessary 

 dela3\ In the final settlement of your account, this item 

 may be debited to the Smithsonian legacy, if recovered, and 

 if not, to the appropriation for prosecuting the claim of the 

 United States to the said legacy. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



John Forsyth. 



Richard Rush, Esq., &c. 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth, 



London, December 16, 1837. 

 Sir : The court of chancery met on the 2d of last month, 

 and continues in full session. It was the commencement 

 of the Michaelmas term. 

 . If I have not written to you since the sittings of the 



