THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 157 
the situation before his friends and pending replies from 
them wrote to Professor Joseph Henry, the Secretary and 
executive of the still somewhat embryonic Institution, a 
letter of which the following, taken from a rough draft, 
is supposed to be an essentially correct copy: 
From Spencer F. Baird to Professor Joseph Henry. 
CarLisLe, Penn. Feb. (8th?) 1847. 
Sir:— 
Emboldened by the kind but partial advice of some of my 
scientific friends, I venture to write and ask leave to enter myself 
as a candidate for the situation of Curator of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution. When I first read the advice in a letter received a few hours 
ago, I was completely taken by surprise, as I have been in the habit 
of looking years ahead for the time when hard study would qualify 
for applying for such a situation. Of my present qualifications it 
does not become me to speak. 
Very respectfully 
Spencer F. Barrp. 
In pursuance of Dana’s suggestion, Baird also wrote 
to several prominent men in politics for their help in 
securing the appointment. One of these letters is selected 
as an example. 
From a Draft of a Letter from S. F. Baird to the Hon. James Buchanan. 
CarLISLE, Feb. 11, 1847. 
Hon. James Bucuanan, 
Sir:— 
The son of an old friend of yours, Samuel Baird of Reading, 1 
write for the purpose of requesting your influence—if you can spare 
a little of your valuable time—in a matter of great interest to me. 
I am anxious to obtain the situation as Curator of the Smithsonian 
Institute, which I believe has not yet been filled up. From my 
earliest youth devoted to the study of Natural History, and at the 
present time occupying that chair in Dickinson College, I hope that 
