CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH vis 
what preparation would I have to make to fit myself to accompany 
you. The Journey ought to be a sort of “Humboldt and Bonpland” 
one, for the purpose of increasing the general sum of knowledge in 
every department of science, Physical as well as Natural. Will you 
please write and tell me all about the matter,—route, &c. If there 
is anything I can do for you here, do not hesitate to command me. 
It would require a good many drafts on me to wipe off the heavy load 
of obligation I am under to you for your kindness to me in New York, 
Sympathy and assistance in more ways than one. I have Influential 
Friends and Relations here who, if occasion demands, may forward 
some of your views. By the by, a gentleman asked me yesterday 
several particulars about your proposed work, intimating at the 
same time an intention of becoming a subscriber. Will you enable 
me to give him some information on the subject? 
I have spent my time since I have been here principally between 
the Treasury Building and the Patent Office. I have a strong desire 
to spend a few months among the collections of the Exploring expedi- 
tion, with the privilege of overhauling the articles. This my Uncle, 
Mr. Penrose, Solicitor of the Treasury, says I will be enabled to do 
by being connected in some way with the corps to be employed 
under act of Congress the ensuing winter. He says that if I could 
get a note from Mr. Audubon, intimating in general terms that from 
his knowledge of my qualifications! I would make a competent 
assistant to those gentlemen already engaged; that there would not 
be much trouble about the matter. Will you do me the favor to 
write something or other to this effect, which he may use for this 
purpose. A few lines from you will be of more avail with the Secre- 
tary of Navy, or State, than a whole folio would be from anybody 
else. 
Will you ask Major LeConte to send me a few of those very fine 
steel pins, tightly packed up, directed in an enclosure to “Chas. B. 
Penrose, Solicitor of the Treasury, Washington, D. C.”? With my 
best respects to Mrs. Audubon and all your family, I remain, 
Yours sincerely, 
SPENCER F. Barron. 
P.S. Please address anything to me under cover to, “Chas. B. 
Penrose, etc.” 
