the navy, is the author. I have accordingly agreed with the Minister of the Marine to solicit from His Majesty, as an evidence of the high esteem placed upon these works, the nomination of Mr. Maury to the Order of the Legion of Honour. I should not be willing at any time to carry out this intention before having informed Mr. Mason, and obtained the assurance that the Government of the U. S. would see no objection thereto. The Minister of the United States replied that the Constitution of the Union prohibits every American citizen occupying any position in the employ of the Government from accepting any emolument, present, charge, or other titles conferred by any foreign government, and that it is only from Congress that authority can emanate for Mr. Maury to accept the distinction proposed. He added, moreover, that he would write to Washington upon the subject.
Receive, Count, the assurance of my high consideration.
The following letter accompanied a valuable present of books and charts from Admiral Hammelin, Minister of Marine at Paris, Imperial Marine Director-General of the Department of Charts and Plants:—
| Dear Sir, | Paris, Feb. 24th, 1860. |
I hasten to transmit to you by the present courier a letter of Admiral Mathieu's relative to the present which we are preparing for you of our hydrographical collections. I make to you also on this occasion my very sincere compliments. You should be convinced, dear sir, that we shall always be disposed to be useful or agreeable to you. I only regret that we are not able to send you something of importance on the subject of winds and currents; but we are scarcely yet organized. I hope, however, that we shall yet in time bring one stone at least to that edifice which you have so carefully reared, and that we should follow in the fruitful path which you have opened for us.
Receive, dear sir, the assurance of my entire devotedness, and of my respects.
| A. de la Marche. | |
| To M. Maury, Director of the Observatory, | |
| Washington. | |
