No. 470.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Boker.
Washington, April 29, 1872.
Sir: The Department has received your telegram, announcing the sudden death of Mr. J. P. Brown, the secretary of legation and dragoman. He had been so long attached to the legation, and had meanwhile made so few visits home, that his friends and acquaintances in this country could not have been numerous, and were in a great degree persons who had visited Constantinople. He is believed to have been an officer who, at least in industry and attention to his duties, has, so far as I am aware, been unexceptionable. It will be difficult to find a native of this country in some respects as well qualified as Mr. Brown was for the position. You will, of course, make such temporary arrangements to supply his place as may be available. I will also thank you to offer my sympathies for their bereavement to the family of the deceased.
I am, &c.,