Allow me, in the name of this department to send to your care a complete series of an illustrated history of the Indian tribes of North-America exhibiting likenesses of their most distinguished leaders, which you will please to present to the minister of public works with the assurance of my distinguished consideration and regard.
Your obedient servant,
Wm. Wilkins,
Secretary of War.
Alexandre Vattemare, Esq.;
Paris.
From the Honorable Reverdy Johnson, U.S. senator from Maryland.
Senate chamber, February 18, 1846.
My dear Sir,
I have just had the gratification of receiving your letter of the 28th of January. From the manifestation already evinced by this body, I am sure that they will liberally meet all your wishes about the exchanges.
Just before I got your letter they passed unanimously a resolution providing that the librarian of Congress transmit to the Minister of Justice of France "a complete series of the reports of all the decisions of the supreme court of the U.S., and of the circuit and district courts thereof, and a complete copy of the public statutes of the United States," and making an ample provision for executing it. This resolution will no doubt receive the sanction of the House of representatives.
Your presents to the National Institute I received and delivered, paying all the charges. Any other gift which you may wish to forward to me will be gratefully received.