86 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
return to that city. You will have to work hard, of course, but 
then I trust that the knowledge alone which you must acquire would 
prove a sufficient compensation, and as you already know me pretty 
well, I may freely say to you that I am not “hard on the trigger.” 
It will be necessary for you to provide a good double barrelled 
Gun, and an excellent Rifle, Shot bag, powder-flask, &c. a good 
hatchet, and a sufficiency of clothes for something like a 12 month’s 
Campaign. But if you will write to me at once upon the subject, I 
can give to you a more and a better a/c of all my intentions, than is 
at present necessary. 
If all-goes on as I trust it will go on, we may be back home by 
Oct® or Nov’. next, 1843. 
Do not lose a moment in writing to me in answer to this after 
you have thought deeply upon the matter. 
Remember me kindly to all your friends, and believe me, Yours 
Always, Joun J. Aupuson. 
This letter was transmitted to William Baird enclosed 
in the following letter from Spencer: 
Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
Car.isLe, December 20, 1842. 
Dear WILL. 
T send you a letter which I received from Mr. Audubon today, 
intimating that he has finished his arrangements respecting going 
to the West in the spring & asking me whether I would like to accom- 
pany him. He says if necessary he will bear half of my expenses 
from St. Louis, where the expedition starts with which he is going. 
I of course would be perfectly delighted to go with him, and wrote 
to him to that effect; but told him that it was impossible for me to 
find money to bear the expenses. I asked him to tell me how much 
he thought would be the cost of the expedition. It would be an excel- 
lent opportunity to go west had J the money, as travelling with a 
large party of trappers there would be no danger from Indians, & 
one might make great collections. I am afraid however that I must 
give up all thoughts of going. Send Mr. Audubon’s letter back when 
you have done with it. 
