UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
ASTROPHYS 1CAL OBSERVATORY 
NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM 
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 
NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FINE ARTS 
FREER GALLERY OF ART 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE SERVICE 
CANAL ZONE BIOLOGICAL AREA 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
February 27, 1950 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore 7| 
Drawer C 
Balboa, Canal Zone 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
Acting on your recent letter, I believe this is about the last chance I will 
have to report to you before your return to the Canal Zone. 
Nothing of great consequence has happened. 
(l) At the moment the matter relating to the Appomattox furniture is rather 
quiet. We had correspondence from Congressman Abbitt, as you know, and he came 
down to see the furniture. At his request we sent him copies of some of the ^ 
documents, supporting the letter which had been sent to him before and * 
indicating clearly that the donors expected it to be left in the United States 
National Museum. 
#r. Drury also wrote a letter asking for a loan of the furniture. In reply 
I indicated that you had gone into this matter and I quoted you as fdLows: 
In the administration of donations or bequests, it has been 
the consistent policy of the Smithsonian Institution not to break 
faith with the dead. When materials are deposited or bequeathed 
with accepted stipulations, it is an obligation on the part of this 
Institution to observe scrupulously the terms under which they were 
entrusted to our care. 
I am sure you will understand the circumstance in which we are 
To the above I added, "This will give you the latest Smithsonian policy in 
this matter." 
(2) The Meadows collection of insects has arrived and a check has been 
forwarded in payment. The Monroe collection of birds has also arrived and payment 
is in process. 
(3) In accordance with your wish, $1,500 was deposited for the credit of 
the Canal Zone Biological Area. 
(k) There has been little in the papers regarding appropriations to cover 
the pay raise, but one* evening recently the STAB indicated that undoubtedly 
some agencies would receive some funds for this purpose. I hope we are among 
those fortunate ones. • 
