166 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
influence, and when I see Mr. Choate, as I hope to do soon, I think 
I can prepare him without difficulty to sustain your husband. 
Professor Henry is very favorably disposed, and I think every- 
thing looks well. I do not think the appointment will be made at 
present, which I do not regret, because I hope I shall be in a position 
to exert more influence next winter than now. 
Toward the latter end of March hoping to see him, Pro- 
fessor Baird made a short visit to Philadelphia, but found 
Mr. Marsh had left the city. He had left some valuable 
books from his library for Baird’s use, and promised more. 
In response to Baird’s request for testimonials came 
the following characteristic letter from John Cassin: 
From John Cassin to Spencer F. Baird. 
Dean ene Puitapa. 16 Feby., 1847. 
Your letter did not catch me in time for a reply earlier than 
to-day. I have been absent from the city since Saturday morning. 
Enclosed I hand you my opinion of you—sorry it is no better— 
but wish swearing to the truth of it (to the best of my knowledge 
and belief) would be of any service. 
But what can I do alone? Why not get, or let me get for you a 
lot of other names, Phillips, Conrad—or Doctor Wilson, or others 
better known than I am. I will write a lot of certificates and make 
the fellows copy them, so it will have a particular sort of look—hope 
you will get the place—but my dear fellow, even in science, things 
go so much by influence, and a mutual assistance understanding, 
that absolute merit is frequently smothered and often overlooked— 
hope you will get it though—command me to the end of the world, 
and I will go, or at least try to. 
If this certificate don’t suit, write one for yourself and (I will) 
copy—burn this letter though—it wouldn’t look well in our published 
correspondence a hundred years from this. 
In a hurry—write early. 
Very truly yours, 
J. Cassin. 
