Tm NArIoNAL snAMr.-The following speaks.

CoLrkcronv
NHW YoRx. Feb. oOth. 1916
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COLLECrOnG


Nsw YoRx, Feb. Goth, ls45
Ma. EpfroR:-


Some OF the newspapers published in this city, having
made statements relative to box of books said to have
been presented by the French Chamber Of Deputies to
the United States, have csnsed investigs stion to
be made relative thereto.


appears that tAe books referred arrived at this Port
IN the ship Utica from Hsvre, in March, s4a while Mr
curtis was Collector OF the Port On the ION Of april
IN completing the discharge Of the ship under general
Order the Inspector sent box in question to the ruoc
store On comparing the Inspectors return WIN tne
Masters manifest did not appear to be included IN the
latter The Master Of the Utica had no recollection Of
the shipment Of the box did he know for whom 1t was
intended. The Inspectors board the Utica returned
the box as without mark address, At the expiration
of nine months the box was opened BY the public ap
prasers and reported to me as box, mo mark, con
tanning "4s volumes Of French books" valued at
In accordance with the law owner appearing, they,
together with other unclaimed goods, soon afterwards
were sold for the duties The first ntimsion received
of their having been presented to the United States
that valuable works had been lost by negligence,
from the public prints but the facts in the will
believe, attach blame either to Mr. Curtis myself
Wh ther the books contained in the bex furnished any in
dcatiop OF the from whence they came, for
whom intended, am unable to state Had such indi
cation existed it should not have escaped the notice OF
the appraisers whose duty it to examine the contents
OF the box, estimate the value and report to me-


Yours respectfully,


C.P VAN NESS