88 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



From John J. Audition to S. F. Baird. 



NEW YORK, January 2, 1843. 

 MY DEAR FRIEND, 



On my return from Boston where I have been for upwards of 

 a fortnight, I found your letter at home, and now will answer to 

 your questions as far as is in my power at present. 



First however I am glad to know that you are desirous of going 

 with me and this because I know I understand you well; and that it 

 would be a pleasure to my whole family to know that you are my 

 companion during such an absence as is now to take place between 

 me and them, and which cannot be calculated under any circum- 

 stances to be less than eight months from the I st of April next, when 

 I must be at St. Louis, ready to embark on board of my friend's Mr. 

 Chouteau's Steamer leaving for the Yellowstone River, etc. etc. 



It is next to impossible for me to say with any degree of accuracy 

 the amount of money which this Journey may require; but I can 

 safely say that the sum of $500. would prove all sufficient, as our 

 passages to the Yellow Stone will be granted us free; and the expenses 

 from here or from Carlisle cannot exceed 50$ to St Louis, and may 

 be less. 



It is now necessary that you should inform me as soon as possible 

 whether you can go with me or not, that I may answer to several 

 Young Gents who have applied to me to go on with me, but of whom 

 I know but little. The principal want of money, will be required in 

 all probability, for the purpose of purchasing horses and mules for 

 our return over Land, should we be so unfortunate as not to meet 

 with a transit by water, the latter of which of course we should no 

 doubt greatly prefer. 



Are you at all likely to come to New York this Winter? I have 

 given up all Idea of going South this season, being determined to 

 draw quadrupeds until a few days of my leaving home for this grand 

 and Last Journey, I intend to make as a Naturalist. Should you 

 come here, come to us We have ample room, and we can talk 

 over matters more at leisure and more fully than by mere letter- 

 writing. 



Do answer this at once in every point of view and be sure to 

 tell me whether you can go with me or not. I trust that our friend 

 Harris will be one of the party; it is my intention to join the party 



