THE COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES 419 



and House representing that State in Congress. A par- 

 ticularly warm friendship existed between the Bairds and 

 Senator Geo. F. Edmunds and his family. The Senator 

 was himself much interested in fishing and hunting, as 

 well as the weightier matters of the law. The repre- 

 sentatives of the States engaged in the New England 

 fisheries were of course kept on the alert by their con- 

 stituents in regard to all matters connected with the 

 fisheries and were well aware of the diminution of the 

 catch along their coasts. With these men Professor 

 Baird discussed his experiences on the Maine and Mas- 

 sachusetts coasts, and the desirability of an enquiry 

 into the causes thereof. These conferences eventually 

 led to the following letter: 



From Spencer F. Baird to the Hon. H. L. Dawes, M. C. 



WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 1870. 

 DEAR SIR: 



In the accompanying communication I give you a memorandum 

 in regard to the subject of the decrease of the fish of our coast; though 

 I fear I have not expressed my ideas as satisfactorily as might be 

 desired. 



In reference to the mode of action to be adopted in regard to 

 this subject I have prepared a resolution which I commend to your 

 consideration. 



If you feel inclined to take immediate action in regard to an appro- 

 priation to meet the cost of the necessary investigation I would sug- 

 gest that an item be introduced in one or other of the bills in your 

 hands, providing the sum of say five thousand dollars, or as much 

 thereof as may be necessary, to be expended by the Commissioner 

 under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, in prosecuting 

 investigations into the subject of the food fishes of the Atlantic 

 Coast, with a view of ascertaining what remedy can be applied toward 

 securing the supply against its present rapid diminution. 



