INTRODUCTION. 
3 
turn my collections to this place, or to place them in the hands of Dr. Jackson or some scientific friend 
of yours who can describe them. *********** * 
I would be glad to hear your determination, and I trust you will believe me when I say that I re- 
gret more than I can well express to you the annoyance I have occasioned , and I hope you will place 
the fault where it belongs and not upon my shoulders. 
I am very truly yours 
(Signed) JOHN POPE , 
. Brev. Capt. Top. Eng. Corps. U. S. A. 
The orders contained in these letters took me completely by surprise ; I was no longer free to 
obey either of the alternatives they offered. I had two days before embarked twenty boxes con- 
taining my collections , books and other effects , and it was materially impossible to land them again 
and open them to look for the specimens and notes belonging to the government; especially as 
these specimens and note-books were scattered in several boxes and mixed with specimens and 
notes that belonged to me. It only remained for me to resign, which 1 did and embarked for 
Europe. 
On arriving at Salins I found a letter from Washington, which threatened, in case I did not 
at once relinquish the specimens and note-books belonging to the Government, to prosecute me 
in conformity with a treaty of extradition lately concluded between the United States and France. 
I might have taken my chance in a lawsuit with the American Government , but I preferred to give 
up every thing, indignant at such treatment, and I replied that I would place in one box all the 
specimens and notes that the Secretary of War demanded , and would give them up to any respon- 
sible person who could give me a receipt in due form, which would release me from all subsequent 
claim on the part of Mr. Jefferson Davis. 
The 28''" February 1855 Mr. John B. Wilbor jr.. Premier Attache a la legation des Etats-Unis 
de TAmerique, came to see me at Salins and delivered me the following letter. 
UNITED STATES LEGATION. 
Mr. Jules Marcou 
Salins (Jura). 
Sir, 
Paris, February the 26”' 1855. 
I have received from the State Department at Washington, a despatch in relation to a claim which 
the Secretary of War has upon certain notes and geological specimens now in your possession and be- 
longing to the Government of the United States. 
By my instructions I am empowered to take such steps as may seem expedient to recover this pro- 
perty , either to treat with you directly or to proceed at once under our recent Treaty. 
Taking advantage of a visit the bearer, Mr. J. B. Wilbor jr., is making to the neighbourhood of 
Salins, I have requested him to see you and to effect with you an amicable settlement of this affair. 
Mr. Wilbor has in his possession all the despatches and documents bearing upon this case now in the 
♦ 
