SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 69 



stock (viz: the three per cent, annuities) until the 17th of 

 July, the books closing after to-day for the transfer of this 

 species of stock until the date I mention. 



The important operation of selling the stock now remains 

 to be conducted, and shall claim my carefal attention. I 

 design to go into the city to-morrow, with a view to adopt- 

 ing the earliest measures for this purpose ; taking advice, 

 in aid of my own judgment, for so managing the sales as 

 best to promote the interests of the United States. 



I continue to think that the best mode of bringing home 

 the money will be in gold, in English sovereigns. Ex- 

 change is low, and so will insurance be at this season ; and 

 on all accounts it seems to me the preferable mode in which 

 to realize the fund, and deliver it over to the Treasurer of 

 the United States on my arrival, in final discharge of the 

 trust confided to me. 



I shall hope to make some report of my steps by the next 

 packet ; and in the meantime have the honor to remain, 

 with great respect, your obedient servant, 



Richard Rush. 



The Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary of State. 



Clarke, Fynmore ^j- Fladgate to Richard Rush. 



43 Craven Street, Strand, June 5, 1838. 



Dear Sir: We beg to assure you, in answer to your favor 

 of the 31st of May, that our endeavors to get through the 

 forms necessary for winding up the suit, and putting you 

 into, possession of the Smithsonian fund, liave not been less 

 urgent and unremitting than have been your applications 

 to ourselves upon the subject. The circumstance of the 

 shutting of the ofiices of the court of chancery for the holi- 

 days, a1 a period when they are ordinarily open, and some 

 other petty difiiculties not within our control, have, how- 

 ever, prevented our getting through all the forms in the 

 month of May, as we hoped to have been able to do. 



We have now, however, the satisfaction to announce to 

 you that everything is complete, and that the accountant 

 general of the court of chancery has transferred into your 

 name the several sums following : 



£64,535 18 9 consols. 

 12,000 reduced annuities. 

 16,100 bank stock. 



