No. 418.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Marsh.
Washington, August 11, 1880.
Sir: I have received a communication from the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution referring to a report that the Italian Government, with a view to monopolizing the curiosities obtained at Pompeii, designs to destroy such of its duplicate specimens as cannot be accommodated in its national museum. It has been suggested that in consideration of the fact that the United States National Museum is in another [Page 652] hemisphere, the Government of Italy, if properly approached on the subject, might conclude that it plan of practical monopoly of Pompeian antiquities would easily admit the presentation to the National Museum in Washington of any of its duplicates.
Professor Baird states that, as the Director of the United States National Museum, he is prepared to offer “a series of the specimens of pueblo pottery and other aboriginal objects,” which can be had from no other source than the museum at Washington, in exchange for a proper series of the Pompeian objects, and asks that you may be instructed to present the subject to the Italian Government for its consideration, with a view, if the proposition should appear acceptable, to negotiate further as to the time and character of the proposed exchange. He adds:
It is of course desirable that the Italian authorities be made to understand that the museum, in the interest of which the proposition in question is made, is the sole national museum of the United States, and as such the depository of all the collections of antiquities and industries belonging to this government, and that it corresponds in its functions, its powers, and its relationships to the national museums of the old world.
You will perceive the great importance of obtaining the objects of antiquity referred to for the museum at Washington, and the possible necessity of an early negotiation for the same, in order to secure them. It would probably be desirable, in case an assent should be given to the proposition of exchange, to procure a list of the duplicates that would be supplied. I have no doubt that the series of American antiquities which it is proposed to send in exchange would be of the amplest character. I have to request that you will act in the premises according to your best judgment.
I am, &c.,