162 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
From J. D. Dana to Spencer F. Baird. 
New Haven, Feb. 25th, 1847. 
Dear Bairp,— 
I have hoped to hear from Washington about the Curatorship 
that I might give you a good word on the subject. But nothing has 
come. So you must lean on hope for a while yet at least. I addressed 
a letter to Prof. Henry about you the day after I last wrote you, 
presenting your claims in a strong light. I hope I have not given 
you vexation and uneasiness for nothing. We of the (Wilkes) expedi- 
tion have had large allowances of the same commodity in times past. 
You have a formidable rival in (Robert Dale) Owen—yet there is 
room for hope. Pickering I think does not expect it. I judge this 
from his advising me to urge my claims. If he would accept it I 
must, of course, support him, as I was long ago pledged to him, and 
have the highest opinion of him. But he does not stand well with 
Pearce and the Library Committee, and I believe there is little chance 
for him. I do not know that you would secure much by writing 
him unless you state that you do not present yourself as a rival of 
him, but on the supposition that he was not a candidate; and then 
ask his advice. He is at Washington. Your course thus far is right 
if there are no insuperable obstacles—that is, some favorite in the 
way. Your efforts cannot be unavailing. Prof. Silliman would give 
you a letter stating that he relies on another for his knowledge of you 
and on the whole, I thought it quite as well to depend on what you 
already have. 
The Principles of Zoology ° I know nothing of farther than it is 
to be. Gould has had the thing in view for a long time past, and, 
Agassiz coming in the way, he has obtained his assistance. The 
Index is slow work, it is about 2/3 printed and will be out probably 
by the first of May. 
You see I have no news about Curatorship to mention and this 
must be my excuse for giving you no speedier reply. Write me your 
earliest word on the subject, or if any further aid is required write 
freely to Yours very truly, 
James D. Dana. 
19 Principles of Zoology, by Agassiz and Gould, Boston, Gould 
and Lincoln, 1851. Revised edition, 1863. 
