SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. . 25 



estate, and to make report on all the several matters so referred to 

 him. 



These inquiries are now all duly and regularly in progress. Adver- 

 tisements, of which I annex copies, designed as one means of obtaining 

 information under the four heads first specified, and the last, have been 

 inserted in three of the London newspapers of the present month, viz: 

 The Times, Morning Herald, and Standard. Copies of them, trans- 

 lated into French and Italian, have also been inserted in newspapers 

 at Paris and Port Louis, in France; the latter being the place where 

 Madame de la Batut resides; and at Leghorn, in Italy, it being under- 

 stood that there is no newspaper published at Pisa, where it is believed 

 Hungerford died. 



It was by my direction that the advertisements have been framed 

 with all the brevity compatible with the essential object of the court's 

 decree. I have caused to be carefully kept from them any mention of 

 the amount of property bequeathed, and everything else respecting 

 the nature of Mr. Smithson's will. This course seems best adapted to 

 guard against the risk of raising up spurious claimants or combina- 

 tions in France, Italy, or this country to battle with the right of the 

 United States, whereby, although their ultimate recovery of the fund 

 might not be prevented, great delays might be interposed. 



Whether John Fitall be living or dead, the remaining branch of 

 inquiry, is a fact to be ascertained without difliculty here in London. 



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

 vant. 



RICHARD RUSH. 



Hon. JOHN FORSYTH, 



Secretary of State. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



(1) 



Whereas by a Decree of the High Court of Chancery in England, made in a cause 

 wherein the President of the United States of America is plaintiff and Charles Drum- 

 mond and His Majesty's Attorney-General are defendants, it is amongst other 

 things referred to Nassau William Senior, Esq.,- one of the Masters of the said Court, 

 to inquire and state to the Court whether Henry James Hungerford (who formerly 

 resided at Paris, in the Kingdom of France, and is alleged to have died at Pisa, in the 

 kingdom of Naples, in the month of June, 1835) , is living or dead, and if dead when 

 he died, and whether he was married or unmarried at the time of his decease, and 

 if married whether he left any and what children or child him surviving, and the 

 ages of such children, if more than one: therefore, any person who can give informa- 

 tion touching the said Henry James Hungerford is requested, on or before the 1st 

 day of June next, to furnish the same to Messrs. Clarke, Fynmore, and Fladgate, 43 

 Craven street, Strand, London. 



