1850 TO 1865 327 
Spencer F. Baird from J. Cassin. 
Puitapa. Oct. 8th, 1855. 
Dear Pror. 
‘ I am at this particular time anxious to get Du Chaillu 
fixed up for another expedition to Africa—he is now making arrange- 
ments,—he wants outfit—or money—a small supply of the latter 
I can raise for him here—is it in your power to do anything?—can 
you let him have some of your kettles for Reptiles?—or snakes, or 
alcohol?—please consider this matter with the gravity becoming the 
importance of an African Expedition,—think of Mungo Park and 
the various travelers as has perished in the attempt. 
Du Chaillu intends to try and penetrate further than he yet has 
been,—up the Moonda—into the mountains discovered by him, not 
down on the Maps, and by my direction will try to find the source 
of the Congo—he has already been within 50 miles of the latter, as 
supposed—Must do something—he has found more new birds than 
any one lately. 
Will probably come to Wash. next Friday—have a quantity of 
memoranda—please answer quick about Du Chaillu—I want to fix 
him off this week or he will interfere with my coming. 
Ever yours, 
J. Cassin. 
From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
October 17, 1855. 
Dear WILL:— 
I received the paper with your address and read it with much 
pleasure. I did not know you were in the lecturing line and was 
quite astonished at seeing the heading. There was one serious omis- 
sion however; in addressing an assemblage of farmers, why did you 
not take the occasion to say that you had a brother whose chief 
passion was field mice, and that all they could catch and send you 
would be thankfully received. 
Your aff. brother, 
S. F. Barrp. 
