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War Department, 

 Washington, January 17, 1852. 

 Sir: In reply to your letter of tlie Tth inst., asking whether authority 

 can be given to the ofScers of the Quartermaster Department to receive 

 and transmit specimens of Natural History for the use of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, I have the honor to inform you that directions have 

 been given through the Quartermaster-General to furnish the facilities you 

 ask for, whenever it can be done without expense to the United States. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



C. M. Conrad, 



Secretary of War. 



Prof. Jos. Henry, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 



Navy Department, 



February 21, 1853. 

 Sik: Authority is hereby given to you, to apply to the commanding 

 officer of any vessel of war, or to any naval storekeeper of the United 

 States, for facilities in transporting packages and specimens of Natural 

 History intended for the Smithsonian Institution, and such officers are 

 hereby required to furnish such facilities when asked for, provided they 

 can be afforded without inconvenience to the public service and without 

 expense to the United States. 



I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



Jo EN P. Kennedy, 



Secretary of the Navy. 

 Prof. J. Henry, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



Tbeascry Department, 



January 25, 1854. 

 Sib: In reply to your communication of 13th Inst., I have the honor to 

 state that collectors of the customs, commanders of cutters, and other 

 officers of this Department, are hereby authorized and required to receive 

 into buildings or vessels under their control, any packages intended for 

 the Smithsonian Institution, and to transport or transmit the same towards 

 their destination, whenever this can be done without inconvenience to the 

 public service and without expense to the United States. 



I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



James Guthrie, 

 Secretary of the Treasury. 

 Prof. Joseph Henry, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 



