Vo^-XXlV j d eane> Letters of J. J. Audubon and S. F. Baird. 55 



Baird to Audubon. 



Washington, November 24th, 1843. 

 My dear Mr. Audubon 



It has been with the greatest pleasure that I have heard by the 

 papers of your safe arrival in a civilized part of the country, with 

 your collections in all departments of Natural History. 1 That 

 these have been extensive I can have not the least doubt, as you 

 are not a person to be idle when anything is to be done. From time 

 to time short notices of your whereabouts and doings, appeared 

 in the newspaper and a thousand times I wished that the fears of 

 my friends had not prevented me from accompanying you to the 

 scenes of action. Will you not, if you have time, write & tell me 

 what your success has been, and what new birds & beasts you have 

 discovered ? Nothing but vague rumors have reached me of these 

 matters. Is there anything I can do for you here? Will you not 

 be on yourself after the meeting of Congress?. Please enclose 

 anything for me under cover to "Charles B. Penrose, 2 Solicitor of 

 the Treasury, Washington." 



Yours Sincerely 



Spencer F. Baird. 

 John J. Audubon Esq. 



Baird to Audubon. 



Carlisle, March 9th, 1844. 

 My dear Mr. Audubon 



I would have replied ere this to your last two letters, but for 

 waiting for further information respecting the Pennant's Marten. 

 I have at last got a full account of the animal, its price &c. The 

 owner is very unwilling to part with it, having formed the most 

 extravagent ideas of its value and rarity. He has already realized 

 a considerable sum of money by exhibiting it in Harrisburg, and 

 intends making a tour through the neighboring towns for the same 

 purpose. He however said that I might have it for ten dollars, if 

 I would pay for the box he had made to contain it. The box is 

 large, and convenient, having iron bars on one side, & iron fasten- 



1 Missouri River expedition, which occupied the time between March 11 and 

 November 6, 1843. 



2 Charles B Penrose of Pennsylvania, Solicitor of the Treasury from 1841 to 1845, 

 appointed to Office by President William H. Harrison. 



