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POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



neath the dignity of the United States to receive presents of this 

 kind from any one. The bill was, however, supported by the 

 Committee of the Judiciary, to which the matter had been re- 

 ferred, and advocated by Mr. James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, 

 Mr. Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, and Mr. John Davis, of 

 Massachusetts. 



Under this act President Jackson appointed the Hon. Richard 

 Rush, of Pennsylvania, agent to prosecute the claims of the United 

 States. The selection of Mr. Rush was a very happy one : he had 

 been Comptroller of the Treasury, Attorney-General, minister 



to England, and minister to 

 France. He displayed integ- 

 rity and ability, and a per- 

 sistence which accomplished 

 the end in view with unex- 

 ampled dispatch. Beyond the 

 usual delays incident to court 

 procedure, Mr. Rush met with 

 no difficulties save one. Ma- 

 dame Theodore de la Batut, 

 the mother of Mr. Hunger- 

 ford, presented a claim for a 

 life interest in the estate of 

 Smithson ; and to expedite 

 matters Mr. Rush agreed to a 

 compromise, granting an an- 

 nuity, which she enjoyed un- 

 til her death in 1861.* As 

 soon as the securities were 

 transferred to Mr. Rush, he 

 JOSEPH HENRY. converted them into gold and 



shipped it to New York on 



the Mediator ; accompanying the treasure were three boxes con- 

 taining the personal effects of the testator, including his collection 

 of minerals, library, etc. The money arising from the Smithson 

 bequest was at first invested in State stocks, and on December 10, 

 1838, President Martin Van Buren announced to Congress the 

 receipt and disposition of the legacy of James Smithson. In 1841, 

 Arkansas having failed to pay interest, through the efforts of 

 Hon. J. Q. Adams the funds were transferred to the Treasury of 

 the United States, to bear interest at six per cent per annum. 



Three years had been consumed in securing the legacy, and 

 seven and a half years more were destined to pass before Congress 



* The principal retained in England to meet this annuity was paid over to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution in 1864. This residuary legacy amounted to $26,210 (gold). 



