314 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1«91. 



connected with the results of tlie cxj)]oiinij;' squadron, lor without the 

 interference of the Institute' where wouhl these results have h«^en. 

 And without its future care what will become of them, for what other 

 body in whose care they can be placed has a permanent domicile at 

 Washington. 



J. J. Abetit. 

 Capt. Wilkes. 



Sept. 5th, (1843.) 



Letter from Col. Ahrrt to Capt. WiUrs, Heptemher T)^ 1843. 



Sm : It is conteuiplated soon to have a meeting of the directors of X\\e. 

 National Institute, at which matters of much interest to the Institute 

 will be broujiht up. Understanding- that you have been placed in 

 charge of the room in which both Institute and ex. expedition curios- 

 ities are deposited, and anxious that at our meeting the directors should 

 be fully and correctly informed, allow us to beg of you the favor of an 

 early answer to the following queries: 



1. Have directions been given to remove the property of the Institute 

 ami that under its care, except ex[)loring expedition si»e('imens, from 

 the room in whicli they now are or from the cases in which they have 

 been deposited, or are such direr-tions contemplated ? 



2. Are the persons employed at the room and paid by the U. S. pro- 

 hibited from bestowing any attention upon any other than ex. exp. 

 specimens, from opening the boxes of presents sent to the Institute, 

 cleaning, arranging, and attending to the same! 



3. Will any of the persons employed at the room and paid hy the U. 

 S. be allowed to bestow any of their time and talents upon the preser- 

 vation and arrangenient of the collections, except those of the ex. 

 squadron? 



4. (Jan the Institute count with vsufticieut certainty upon the services 

 of any person so employed so as to invest him or them as curators or 

 assistants with the requisite authority from the Institute'? 



You Avill readily perceive the importance of these questions to the 

 Institute, and how eminently they invoke the security and preservation 

 of the valuable and extensive collection under its care, you will, there- 

 fore, I hope, pardon us in the request of an early answer. 



J. J. Abert. 

 Capt. Charles Wilkes, 



U. S. Navy, Wanhrnqton. 

 Sept. 5, 1843. 



Letter J rom Capt. Wilkes to Col. Ahert, Septemher IG, 1843. 



Washington City, 10 Sept., 1843. 



My Bear Sir: Your friendly letter was received on my return to the 

 city after a short absence, which will account for your not having an 

 earlier reply. 



I can not acknowledge any right in a (committee of the Kat. Inst, to 

 call upon me for any explanation whatever rehitive to my official duties 

 or actions, particularly when such a call is bused upon (as you inform 

 me) painful reports of whi<'h I have no knowledge and little regard, and 

 can not help expressing my astonishment that any members of a scien- 



