40 SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 



add, that nothing shall be omitted l^y me when the court recommences, 

 or dui-ing- the vacation, toward securing as prompt an issue to the whole 

 proceedings as may be found practicable. 



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

 ant, 



Hon. John Forsyth, 



Secretary of State. 



Richard Rush. 



Richard Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, Octoler 18, 1837. 



Sir: Since transmitting the duplicate of my No. 15, nothing material 

 has occurred for your information. The long autumnal vacation has 

 been going on, and is not yet expired. The business of the court of 

 chancery has therefore been at a pause, and no further proceedings 

 have been had in the suit of the United States. 



But I have from time to time called upon the solicitors, and am able 

 to report that they have not been idle during this interval. They have 

 been employed in preparing answers to certain interrogatories exhibited 

 on the part of Madame la Batut, with a view to establish her claim; 

 and the strict and careful inquiries they have instituted, and will con- 

 tinue to pursue, assure me, although no facts are yet ripe for com- 

 munication, that the interest of the United States will be well guarded 

 in relation to it. The court will sit again next month, when the steps 

 which the solicitors have been taking, in anticipation of its recom- 

 mencement, will in due time, I trust, be productive of the proper 

 results. The claim in question has been so vexatiously urged, that 

 my directions have been given for the closest scrutiny into its merits 

 at all points. 



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

 servant. 



Richard Rush. 



Hon. John Forsyth, 



Sec7'etary of State. 



Richai'd Rush to John Forsyth. 



London, October 27, 1837. 

 Sir: The court of chancery will resume its sittings next week, and 

 I have this week been in conference with our solicitors, urging them 

 to act expeditiously. Evidence obtained on the la Batut claim, and 

 on other points, now only waits a few forms to go before the master, 

 from whose office a report may be anticipated, as I am confidentl}^ 

 told, at a day not distant after the meeting of the court. I trust that 

 this will be the case, and that the report may be satisfactory. 



