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[copy.] 
War Department, 
Washington, January 17th, 1852. 
Sir:— 
In reply to your letter of the 7th instant, asking whether authority 
can be given to the Officers of the Quartermaster Department to re- 
ceive and transmit specimens of Natural History for the use of the 
Smithsonian Institution, I have the honor to inform you that di- 
rections have been given through the Quartermaster General to fur- 
nish the facilities you ask for, whenever it can be done without expense 
to the United States. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
C. M. Conrad, 
Secretary of War. 
Prof. Jos. Henry, 
Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 
