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Sir
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 6 th Septem-ber last, addressed to the honorable A. V. Parsons secretary ofthis Commonwealth, informing him that in November 1842 andJanuary 1843, you had tansmitted to his Excellency David R Por-ter for the library of this State certain valuable books obtainedfrom the ministers of the several departments of the French go-vernment, and desiring an Acknowledgement of their receipt.
It is a cause of sincere regret that your Kind attention andthat of the heads of the departments of the government of France has not since received the acknowledgement which it so highlymerits. This has not been owing to an improper appreciation ofits value, but to circumstances which I trust are sufficient toexculpate the government of this state from the charge of wilfulneglect.
The books transmitted in 1842 arrived here at the time thatMr Persons was about to retire from the office of secretary ofslate. They were placed in the state’s library and upon my assu-ming the duties of the office in february 1843 their receipt did notcome under my observation. Those sent in January et February1843 remained in the custom house at New-York until a short timeago when they were forwarded by the collector of Customs at Phi-ladelphia.Who had received information that they were remainingin New-York . When these arrived they were immediatly placed inthe state’s library there was not any letter accompanying themslating by whom they had been forwarded.
I reqnest thatyouwill receive this explanation and if you deemit necessary, communicate it. to the ministers of the departmentsof France interested in it. It is desired that the ministers may notentertain the belief that their attention is improperly understoodby the authorities of this state.
It is hoped that our legislature stimulated by a sense of yourvery valuable efforts will adopt measures to reciprocate thekindness and aid in your laudable exertion to promote the friend-ship at present happily existing between the people of France and those of the United States .
Annexed is a list of the books received from Paris and now inthe library of the state.