THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 157 



the situation before his friends and pending replies from 

 them wrote to Professor Joseph Henry, the Secretary and 

 executive of the still somewhat embryonic Institution, a 

 letter of which the following, taken from a rough draft, 

 is supposed to be an essentially correct copy: 



From Spencer F. Baird to Professor Joseph Henry. 



CARLISLE, PENN. Feb. (8th?) 1847. 

 SIR: 



Emboldened by the kind but partial advice of some of my 

 scientific friends, I venture to write and ask leave to enter myself 

 as a candidate for the situation of Curator of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution. When I first read the advice in a letter received a few hours 

 ago, I was completely taken by surprise, as I have been in the habit 

 of looking years ahead for the time when hard study would qualify 

 for applying for such a situation. Of my present qualifications it 

 does not become me to speak. 



Very respectfully 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



In pursuance of Dana's suggestion, Baird also wrote 

 to several prominent men in politics for their help in 

 securing the appointment. One of these letters is selected 

 as an example. 



From a Draft of a Letter from S. F. Baird to the Hon. James Buchanan. 



CARLISLE, Feb. n, 1847. 

 HON. JAMES BUCHANAN, 

 SIR: 



The son of an old friend of yours, Samuel Baird of Reading, 1 

 write for the purpose of requesting your influence if you can spare 

 a little of your valuable time in a matter of great interest to me. 

 I am anxious to obtain the situation as Curator of the Smithsonian 

 Institute, which I believe has not yet been filled up. From my 

 earliest youth devoted to the study of Natural History, and at the 

 present time occupying that chair in Dickinson College, I hope that 



