SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 55 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, March 28, 1838. 



Sir : Since the date of my last letter, the report of the 

 master has been duly made, and yesterday it was confirmed. 



This is a step forward in the case which I am at length 

 happy to announce. It is second in importance only to the 

 decree of the court on the whole merits, and has laid the 

 best foundation for speedily obtaining that decree. 



The precise sum that the report allows to Madame de la 

 Eatut is one hundred and fifty pounds and nine shillings, to 

 be paid to her annually during her life, with a payment of 

 arrears, to be calcula.ted on this basis, from some period in 

 1834 ; the exact date of which I have not at this moment, 

 but will mention when I next write. 



The court takes a recess next week for the Easter holi- 

 days; these will last until the 17th or 20th of April. The 

 case will be set down for another hearing before the court 

 at as early a day as I can command after it re-assembles. 

 A decree, I am informed, will be pronounced after this 

 hearing on all the facts as settled by the master — a favorable 

 one, as I hope, for the United States. 



By the determination I took respecting the claim of Ma- 

 dame de la Batut, as announced in ni}' last, her professional 

 advisers, knowing that she can now get no more than the 

 report allows her, are interested in co-operating with me 

 towards a prompt decision, instead of resorting to adverse 

 proceedings to prolong or thwart it — a course which they 

 have been more or less pursuing hitherto. 



On better grounds than ever I think I may, therefore, 

 flatter myself that the case approaches its conclusion; and 

 I will only add that its remaining stages shall be watched 

 by me with a care proportioned to the auspicious results 

 that I believe to be near at hand. 



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

 dient servant, Richard Rush. 



Hon. John Forsyth, Sicretaru of State. 



Richard Rush to John Forsjjth. 



London, April 24, 1838. 

 Sir : The court re-assembled last week, since which I 

 have been doing all that is practicable, by personal calla 



