86 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



* 



return to that city. You will have to work hard, of course, but 

 then I trust that the knowledge alone which you must acquire would 

 prove a sufficient compensation, and as you already know me pretty 

 well, I may freely say to you that I am not "hard on the trigger." 



It will be necessary for you to provide a good double barrelled 

 Gun, and an excellent Rifle, Shot bag, powder-flask, &c. a good 

 hatchet, and a sufficiency of clothes for something like a 12 month's 

 Campaign. But if you will write to me at once upon the subject, I 

 can give to you a more and a better a/c of all my intentions, than is 

 at present necessary. 



If all goes on as I trust it will go on, we may be back home by 

 Oct r or Nov r . next, 1843. 



Do not lose a moment in writing to me in answer to this after 

 you have thought deeply upon the matter. 



Remember me kindly to all your friends, and believe me, Yours 



Always, T T 



JOHN J. AUDUBON. 



This letter was transmitted to William Baird enclosed 

 in the following letter from Spencer: 



Spencer F. Baird to William. M. Baird. 



CARLISLE, December 20. 1842. 

 DEAR WILL. 



I send you a letter which I received from Mr. Audubon today, 

 intimating that he has finished his arrangements respecting going 

 to the West in the spring & asking me whether I would like to accom- 

 pany him. He says if necessary he will bear half of my expenses 

 from St. Louis, where the expedition starts with which he is going. 

 I of course would be perfectly delighted to go with him, and wrote 

 to him to that effect; but told him that it was impossible for me to 

 find money to bear the expenses. I asked him to tell me how much 

 he thought would be the cost of the expedition. It would be an excel- 

 lent opportunity to go west had I the money, as travelling with a 

 large party of trappers there would be no danger from Indians, & 

 one might make great collections. I am afraid however that I must 

 give up all thoughts of going. Send Mr. Audubon's letter back when 

 you have done with it. 



