SMITHSONIAN" BEQUEST. 9 



his name will, I apprehend, be necessaiy; and as the suit will involve 

 some expense not connected with the contingent fund of the legation, 

 your instructions upon this branch of the subject will likewise be 

 desira])le. 



1 am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, 



A. Vail. 

 John Forsyth, Esq. , 



Secretary of State of the United States, Waf<hmgton. 



John Forxytli to xVaron Vail. 



Department of State, 



Washington, Septemher 26, 1835. 

 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch 

 of July i^8 last (No. 197), relative to a l^equest of property to a large 

 amount left to the United States ]\v Mr. James Smithson for the 

 purpose of founding at Washington an institution "for the increase 

 and diffusion of knowledge among men," and to inform 3^ou that j^our 

 letter and the papers which accompanied it have been submitted to 

 the President, who has determined to lay the subject before Congress 

 at its next session. The result of its deliberations, when obtained, 

 shall 1)6 communicated to you, with the necessary instructions. 



Of the course intended to be pursued in relation to this matter, as 

 above explained, you will take occasion to acquaint the solicitors who 

 apprised you of the existence of Mr. Smithson's will. 

 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



John Forsyth. 

 Aaron Vail, Esq., 



Charge <T Affaires of the United States, London. 



John Forsytlt to Richard Rush. 



Department of State, July 11, 1836. 

 Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the President, in pur- 

 suance of an act of Congress passed at their recent session, has been 

 pleased to appoint you the agent of the United States to assert and 

 prosecute their claim to the legacy bequeathed to them by James 

 Smithson, late of London, deceased. Your power of attorney or 

 commission is herewith remitted, with an authenticated coj^y of the 

 act referred to annexed to it. It is the wish of the President that 

 you should, in the event of your acceptance of this trust, embark for 

 London without unnecessary loss of time, to enter on the duties of 

 the appointment. Previously to leaving the United States, however, 

 it will be necessary, in compliance with the provisions of the accom- 



