442 JOURNAL OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



Boston, September 22, 1846. 

 My Dear Sir : I am requested by Mr. Choate, who has just left me, to say to you 

 from him, that he has received your communication respecting the investment of the 

 fund now on hand in United States stock, bearing interest ; and that he cordially ap- 

 proves the proposal, and hopes that it will be immediately carried into effect, so as to 

 secure the interest to the Institution. 

 I am, my dear sir, faithfully yours, 



ROBERT DALE OWEN. 

 W. W. Seaton, 



Chairman Executive Committee. 



Gardiner, Maine, September 20, 1846. 



Sir : I have just received your letter of the 12th, postmarked 17th, instant, and 

 lose no time to reply to it. 



I had an impression, from whence derived I cannot say, that the United States had 

 already agreed to pay to the Smithsonian Institution interest upon the whole amount, 

 principal and interest, now in the Treasury, or for which the United States are re- 

 sponsible. If this be not so, it is certainly equitable and just, that the Institution 

 should be allowed interest on the amount of accumulated interest, or that it be at 

 once paid over, so that it may be profitably invested. 



I therefore concur readily in the proposed arrangement, viz : that the Executive 

 Committee demand and receive from the Treasury the sum of $240,000, in United 

 States stocks at par, or at a small advance. 



In the present State of the Treasury, I presume the Secretary would prefer to issue 

 certificates of stock, rather than to pay the amount in money, and this course would 

 be most desirable for the Institution. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



GEORGE EVANS. 



W. W. Seaton, 



Chairman Executive Committee, Smithsonian Institution. 



Carlyle, Illinois, September 23, 1846. 

 Dear Sir : On my return from Washington, on yesterday, I found your letter of 

 the 12th instant, requesting my opinion as to the investment of the interest already 

 accrued upon the Smithsonian bequest, in United States stocks. 



In reply, I can only say that, had I been present at the late meeting of the Board, 

 I should have made the identical proposition contained in your letter. I spoke of it 

 to some friends while in Washington, and hope the Executive Committee will not 

 delay action upon it. It is too important to be overlooked or postponed. 

 With great respect, your obedient servant, 



SIDNEY BREESE. 

 W. W. Seaton, Esq., 



Chairman Executive Committee, Smithsonian Institution. 



Albany, September 18, 1846. 

 Sir: I this morning received your communication made in behalf of the Execu- 

 tive Committee of the Smithsonian Institution, requesting my opinion on the propri- 

 ety of investing the accumulated interest due to that Institution in six per cent, 

 stock of the United States, &c. 



If the Secretary of the Treasury will, on application to him for that purpose, issue 

 6tock for accumulated interest due as above stated, I have no hesitation in expressing 

 my opinion in favor of making an application to him for such a purpose. 

 With great respect, your obedient servant, 



GIDEON HAWLEY. 

 W. W. Seaton, Esq., 



Chairman Executive Committee, Smithsonian Institution. 



New York, September 25, 1846. 

 Dear Sir; Your favor, under date of the 12th instant, relative to an application 

 to the Secretary of the Treasury for the accumulated interest upon the Smithsonian 



