144 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



I also inclose a letter from Mr. Daniel Brent, consul of the United States at Paris, 

 in relation to payments made by him in endeavoring to secure property supposed by 

 him to constitute a part of that bequeathed by Mr. Smithson, with a copy of Mr. 

 Rush's answer to his application for reimbursement. I would suggest $10,000 as the 

 amount necessary to be appropriated for the continuation of the prosecution of the 

 claim of the United States, and that it is of urgent necessity that it be made at this 

 session, in order that funds may be transmitted to the bankers of the United States 

 in London to meet the drafts that may necessarily be made upon them for the 

 expenses to be incurred therein. * * * 



I have to request that the papers inclosed may be shown to the chairman of the 

 Committee on Finance of the Senate and that they may be returned to this Depart- 

 ment. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



John Foksyth. 

 Hon. C. C. Cambrelkng, 



Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, 



House of Representatives. 



October 16, 1837. 



An act making further appropriations for the year 1837. 



For defraying the expenses attending the prosecution of the claim 

 of the United States to the legacy bequeathed by the late James 

 Smithson, of London, $5,000. 



(Stat., V, 207.) 

 March 5, 1838— House. 



On motion of Mr. Timothy Childs, 



Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate to this House (if the 

 same can be done without prejudice to the public service) all the documents and 

 information in his possession relative to the prosecution of the claim to the Smith- 

 sonian bequest; also, what duty has been performed, and remains to be performed, 

 by the agent employed at London in reference to said claim, and how the money 

 heretofore appropriated by Congress has been applied. 

 May 21, 1838— House. 



Memorial of Walter R. Johnson relative to the Smithson bequest 

 presented. (See p. 146.) 

 June 28, 1838— House. 



Mr. Abraham Rencher submitted resolution: 



Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means inquire into the expediency of 

 authorizing a temporary investment of the Smithsonian legacy, as soon as it shall be 

 received by the President of the United States. 



Agreed to. 

 July 2, 1838— House. 



Mr. C. C. Cambreleng, from the Committee of Ways and Means, 

 reported: 



[H. No. 863.] 



A bill to provide for the investment of money received under the will of the late James Smithson, 



of London. 



Be it enacted, etc., That all money arising from the bequest of the late James 

 Smithson, of London, for the purpose of founding at Washington, in this District, an 

 institution to be denominated the Smithsonian Institution, shall be paid into the 



