296 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
From Spencer F. Baird to Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, U. S. N. 
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 1853. 
My pEAR Mr. GILLISs:— 
It was not until a day or two ago that I learned of the afflicting 
termination to the days and nights of anxious watching and care to 
which you have lately been subjected. I had hoped for a different 
result from hearing of nothing to the contrary. It is not for one like 
myself, who has never experienced such an afflicting dispensation, to 
attempt to impart consolation to one who is capable of realizing so 
fully the divine promises; but I may at least offer my warmest sym- 
pathy and most affectionate condolence to a father and mother thus 
deprived of the light of their house. 
From Spencer F. Baird to Lieut. D. M. Couch. 
Wasuincton, March, 1853. 
My pear Mr. Coucu: 
I have just received your letter from Brownsville, of Feb. 15th 
and am overjoyed to learn of the result of the negotiation in respect to 
the Berlandiére collection. I will endeavor to meet your views in 
regard to it to the fullest extent. As however there is so much doing 
in the natural history of Mexico and Texas, you had better allow me 
some discretion in regard to publishing the characters of anything 
new which I may ascertain to be in danger of loss, by prior description 
elsewhere. Not to mention the domestic rivals, Prince Paul of Wur- 
temberg has recently returned from the Rio Grande region with 
extensive collections, which are already sent to Europe for description. 
I think that you will approve whatever I may do in your name and 
behalf, under any such authority, although if you say so, I will rigidly 
refrain from doing anything beyond preserving the specimens and 
materials from injury. 
We will, of course, cheerfully pay the expenses of transportation 
here. They can, I suppose, be sent to N. Orleans without expense by 
Quartermasters’ Department. Still, if no such opportunity presents, 
do not delay sending. Ship right off. Be careful in packing, not to 
put tender and coarse articles together: for instance, don’t put min- 
