Nautical Almanac Office
Bureau of Navigation Navy Department
Washington, March 11, 1887. 18

My Dear Marsh:

I learn from Holden that he cannot go to Paris for want of time, he says however that Peters is going so that if Rutherford and Langley both fail you have him to fall back upon.

The committee on the Draper medal will no doubt be ready with a report at the April meeting.

I see there is quite a petition going into the President for Kimball which I believe you have seen yourself. As you know, I am skeptical about its having any great effect. The President has held out so long against universal opinion around him that I do not see why he should not hold out indefinitely. So far as I know I am about the only person in Washington who has anything but the most approbrious epithets for the present incumbent. The names his friends in the Treasury call him by are not fit to go upon paper.

Yours very truly,

Professor O.C.Marsh,
New Haven, Conn.

Nautical Almanac Office

Bureau of Navigation Navy Department.

Washington.

2 June, 1988

Dear Professor Marsh:

I received the diplomas two days ago, signed them, and addressed them to Professor Wolcott Gibbs, Newport, R.I. as his signature was not on them. Hall gave me to understand that I would receive them from Gibbs.

In the award of such honors as that of the Watson medal to persons abroad it is customary for some party who has been concerned in recommending the award to privately inform the recipient of that fact, and to ask if he can accept a formal invitation to be present. If you have no objection I shall do this for Professor Schönfeld. I can do this very properly, as I am on very friendly terms with him personally, and shall soon have occasion to write him on another subject.

I have been so much broken down this spring that I can hardly do anything, and expect to take a long vacation somewhere on the sea shore.

Nautical Almanac Office.

Washington 19 Oct. 1888

My Dear Marsh :

I find it is entirely out of the question for me to attend the Academy meeting, and enjoy the hospitality of your home.

I leave tonight for Asheville, N.C. to try the effect of mountain air on my weak leg.

A vote is required from the Academy about the Watson fund which Hall will bring up.

Would it not be well for the Council at this meeting to authorize the Treasurer to sell U.S. Bonds and invest in mortgages on Washington real estate? At the present price of bonds I do not believe we are gaining much over one per cent interest on our investment, and there is no trouble in gaining five per cent here on good mortgages.

Yours very truly,

Professor O.C.Marsh,

New Haven, Conn.

Nautical Almanac Office, Washington, D.C.

8 December, 1888.

My Dear Marsh:

Hall has showed me your letter asking for reasons etc.
for the award of the Watson medal to Gould, and has tried to ex-
plain the matter. So far as the minutes and records of the Acad-
emy are concerned I do not see what more can be necessary than
is already there, to wit the statement made by the Watson trus-
tees to the Academy recommending the award of the medal, and
briefly stating the reasons therefor. That recommendation formed
the basis of the Academy's action, and I do not see on what grounds
we can substitute a fuller statement at so late a day as this.

As regards the full account of Gould's work that was an
entirely unofficial matter. The points were made for your ad-
dress in presenting the medal, and I suppose your address is in
your own hands.

If you want me to do anything more I wish you would
send me those notes for I really forget all about the details.

I am not so badly off in health as you seem to suppose.

I am now well almost down to the right ankle; but the ankle,

Washington, D.C. 18 March, 1889.

My Dear Marsh:

The Watson medal is already, and is now here in the jewellers hands for a suitable case. As Coffin looked out for the last one I asked him to do the same now.

Gibbs might raise the question whether he, as Foreign Secretary, should not be the organ to transmit the medal. I had a very pleasant letter from Schönfeld a few days ago; he spoke in terms of the highest appreciation of the honor, which evidently took him entirely by surprise.

I am slowly gaining strength; but it is mighty slow work, and I dont acquire the faculty of walking. One quarter of a mile seems still to be the limit of safety, as it has been during the last four months.

Hall sent me the notification of committee of arrangements. Langley intends to offer a reception to the Academy.

Yours very truly