CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 77 



what preparation would I have to make to fit myself to accompany 

 you. The Journey ought to be a sort of "Humboldt and Bonpland" 

 one, for the purpose of increasing the general sum of knowledge in 

 every department of science, Physical as well as Natural. Will you 

 please write and tell me all about the matter, route, &c. If there 

 is anything I can do for you here, do not hesitate to command me. 

 It would require a good many drafts on me to wipe off the heavy load 

 of obligation I am under to you for your kindness to me in New York, 

 Sympathy and assistance in more ways than one. I have Influential 

 Friends and Relations here who, if occasion demands, may forward 

 some of your views. By the by, a gentleman asked me yesterday 

 several particulars about your proposed work, intimating at the 

 same time an intention of becoming a subscriber. Will you enable 

 me to give him some information on the subject? 



I have spent my time since I have been here principally between 

 the Treasury Building and the Patent Office. I have a strong desire 

 to spend a few months among the collections of the Exploring expedi- 

 tion, with the privilege of overhauling the articles. This my Uncle, 

 Mr. Penrose, Solicitor of the Treasury, says I will be enabled to do 

 by being connected in some way with the corps to be employed 

 under act of Congress the ensuing winter. He says that if I could 

 get a note from Mr. Audubon, intimating in general terms that from 

 his knowledge of my qualifications! I would make a competent 

 assistant to those gentlemen already engaged; that there would not 

 be much trouble about the matter. Will you do me the favor to 

 write something or other to this effect, which he may use for this 

 purpose. A few lines from you will be of more avail with the Secre- 

 tary of Navy, or State, than a whole folio would be from anybody 

 else. 



Will you ask Major LeConte to send me a few of those very fine 

 steel pins, tightly packed up, directed in an enclosure to "Chas. B. 

 Penrose, Solicitor of the Treasury, Washington, D. C."? With my 

 best respects to Mrs. Audubon and all your family, I remain, 



Yours sincerely, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



P. S. Please address anything to me under cover to, "Chas. B. 

 Penrose, etc." 



