i 5 8 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



I am tolerably well acquainted with the outlines of my duties. Of 

 the opinions of my various friends as to my competency for the sta- 

 tion, as Prof. Silliman, Drs. Torrey and Gray, Mr. Audubon, Dr. 

 Morton and others, I can at short notice furnish written testimony. 

 If you can say a word to any members of the board of regents which 

 would be of influence in their decision, I would be very much obliged 

 to you for its utterance. 



Very respectfully, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



It is possible that Baird's first letter to Henry did not 

 elicit an immediate response as the latter was an extremely 

 busy man and the appointment of a Curator was likely 

 to be some time deferred. At any rate a letter represented 

 by the following draft, accompanied by various testi- 

 monials to his qualifications for the post, some of which 

 are reproduced here, was prepared by Baird and sent to 

 the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution: 



From Draft of a Letter from Spencer F. Baird to Professor Joseph Henry. 



CARLISLE, Feb. 25, 1847. 



SIR: 



I wrote to you some weeks ago, stating that having heard 

 that the situation of Curator to the Smithsonian Institute was to 

 be filled shortly, and being advised thereto by some of my friends, 

 I wished to become a candidate. I also mentioned my intention of 

 sending on letters from different individuals as soon as I could 

 procure them. I accordingly take the liberty of sending the accom- 

 panying from Doctor Morton, J. J. Audubon, John Cassin, J. D. 

 Dana, &c. Dr. Gray has kindly offered to write personally to you 

 on the subject. Some I retain on account of the too partial terms in 

 which I am mentioned, and of those forwarded to you, many contain 

 opinions to which my utmost self conceit will not allow me to 

 subscribe. 



I have been told by my friends to mention in my application 

 to yourself, such places and passages of Scientific works as refer 



