
          Recd & And
Jany 3rd

Smithsonian Institution
Dec 31st 1858

My Dear Dr.

I have heard nothing from
you for ten days or more and
therefore concluded that all things
are quiet at the mint.

I met Butterworth in the street
as I was on my way home from church
last Sunday. He bowed very politely but
I had no opportunity of speaking with him
during his stay in the city.

I am informed that a notice
of your difficulty has appeared in one
of the New York papers though I have
not seen it myself. I hope this has
not enhanced the difficulty.

Mr. Bache and myself visited
the President on some business
of an official character and I then
took advantage of the opportunity to
        