SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 19 



consul of the United States at Paris, of M. Castaignet, a French attorney, 

 for certain fees charged by him for services rendered in relation to 

 the effects of Mr. James Henry Dickinson, deceased, alias de la Batut, 

 alias Hungerford, nephew of the late James Smithson, of London, and 

 requesting that I will examine it with a view to its payment out of the 

 Smithsonian fund in my hands, if deemed just, and the amount reason- 

 able; and mentioning also that it may be proper to allow Mr. Dela- 

 grange, the attorney consulted by Mr. Brent, a fee, after obtaining 

 from the latter precise information as to the amount of the charge. 

 Copies of Mr, Brent's explanatory letters of the 23d of October, 1835, 

 and 14th of August, 1836, also came inclosed in your letter, and I beg 

 leave to say that the whole subject shall have from me full attention. 



The Smithsonian case continues in proper train here with every 

 advantage 1 have found myself yet able to give it, according to the 

 statement and explanations transmitted with my No. 4; but it has not 

 yet come to its first hearing before the court of chancery. 



I have the honor to remain, with great respect, your obedient 

 servant, 



Richard Rush. 



Hon. John Forsyth, 



Secretary of State. 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, January 9, 1837. 



I have already had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 

 letter of the 17th November, inclosing the account of Mr. Castaignet, 

 the French attorney, for certain services in relation to the effects of 

 Henry James Dickinson, deceased, alias de la Batut, alias Hungerford. 



I have given to this subject the proper attention, and, for the better 

 understanding of it, now beg leave to state: 



That Henr}^ James Hungerford was the natural son of Henry Louis 

 Dickinson, deceased, brother of Mr. Smithson, by a Mrs. Coates. The 

 latter is still living and married to a Frenchman named de la Batut. 

 Hungerford lived with her and took her name, whilst bearing which 

 he died, having also passed under that of Dickinson. It is understood 

 that, as long as he lived, he made her an ample allowance; but his 

 death put an end to it, and, as far as the will of Mr, Smithson is con- 

 cerned (the will which creates a right in the United States), she can claim 

 nothing. This I understand to be agreed by counsel on all hands here. 



Her claim, if she has any, is under the will of Henry Louis Dickin- 

 son, made at Paris July, 1819, by which he left all his property to his 

 brother, Smithson, in trust for his (Dickinson's) son Hungerford, alias 

 Dickinson, alias la Batut. Half the income of it, however, was to go 

 to this Mrs. Coates, alias Madame la Batut, during her life. 



