Dear sir,
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th April on the 1st of June and two days since I received the books mentioned in it. I have replied as directed by the regents to M. the Count de Salvandy and must ask you to present the letter to him.
The legislature of this state adjourned about the middle of May, the laws, journals and documents of the two houses which are now directed by an act passed this session, to be sent to the government of France (duplicate copy), have not yet come from the hands of the printers and binders—probably it may be two months, before they are completed, as indexes are to be compiled for each; but as soon as I receive them (and it is my duty by law to forward them), they shall be sent.
Meanwhile I have collected from the various departments a few publications which I trust may be interesting. They are, as you are probably aware, not for sale and of course cannot readily be obtained out of this city. I send parcels for the minsters of public instruction, of finances, of agriculture and commerce, of justice and of the marine.
There is a law of the state directing the presentation of the volumes of the natural history of the state of New-York, to foreign governments and bodies and persons making donations to the state library. The governor and secretary of state are charged with this duty. I had an interview with these gentlemen during the present week and they assured me that they would in a few weeks at most, give the necessary directions for their transmission. Of course, a copy will be sent to his majesty and another to the royal library of France. And I have reason to suppose that copies will be sent to several of the ministers who have made donations through you. Certainly, to count de Salvandy. I have no doubt but every thing will be done in a manneer acceptable to you[3].
I am extremely happy to learn that you have for us a copy of the judicial statistics of France. This is a most valuable donation. That of the Count de Salvandy is a splendid one and will be duly noticed to the Legislature, when they meet in 1846.
The regents of the University deeply feel their indebtedness to you for your kindness in forwarding.
I have honour to remain with respect, your truly,
J. Romeyn Beck,
Secretary.
Mercantile Library Association, Clinton Hall. New-York, November 24th, 1845.