SMITHSONIAN BEQUEST. 71 



the 6th July, that being the day after dividend day, which 

 falls on the 5th of July. 



It gives me great satisfaction to state that this sale was 

 effected at 95J. 



Up to the day when it was effected, consols had not 

 brought so high a price, as far as I have yet been able to 

 examine the London Mercantile Price Current, for nearly 

 eight years before. 



Two sales have been made of the bank stock, viz : one of 

 3,000, the other of 5,000; the former at 204f, the latter 

 at 204f ; both sales being for the 30th instant, the money 

 payable and stock to be delivered on that day. Should the 

 remainder be sold at these rates, or near them, it will 

 be seen that the bank stock, though in nominal amount 

 only 16,100, as stated in my last, will yield upwards of 

 30,000. 



In the important operations of selling the stock, I am re- 

 ceiving the most beneficial aid from the constant advice and 

 active daily co-operation in all ways of our consul, Colonel 

 Aspinwall, whose long residence in London and ample op- 

 portunities of knowing the mysteries of its great stock 

 market, and the minute details of doing business in it, have 

 given him the ability to aid me. It is thus that I am selling 

 to every advantage. 



None of the three per cent, reduced annuities have yet 

 been sold. We are watching the market with a view to the 

 most favorable moment for disposing of this part of the 

 stock. 



The fortunate point of time was hit for selling out the 

 consols. They have now sunk a little, and, with the excep- 

 tion of momentary intervals, would not have brought as 

 much since the 6th instant as I obtained. 



From the sales made, it is now I think certain that the 

 whole stock will yield from one hundred and three to one 

 hundred and five thousand pounds, apart from the five 

 thousand and fifteen to be retained here during the life of 

 Madame la Batut. 



From the successful manner in which they are prodfeed- 

 ing, it seems clear also, at the present time, that the fund, 

 independent of the accumulations of interest, will be richer 

 in the state in which I shall deliver it over to the United 

 States, than it was in the summer of 1835, when their right 

 to it first attached by the death of Henry James Hunger- 

 ford. 



