THE YOUNG PROFESSOR 165 
When the question of the curatorship of the Smith- 
sonian collection arose Mrs. Baird wrote to Mr. Marsh, 
who was one of the Board of Regents of the Institution 
and distinguished as a man of culture and wide influence 
among public men without being himself a politician. 
He was then a representative in Congress. 
The following letter was received in reply: 
From George P. Marsh to Mrs. S. F. Baird. 
Me pe Hh Wasuincton, Feb. 10, 1847. 
You know me well enough to believe me without an oath, when 
I assure you that it will give me great pleasure to serve Mr. Baird 
to the utmost of my power, not only because he is your husband, 
but because I am quite convinced that any influence I may possess 
could not be better exerted than in aiding him to accomplish the 
object he has at heart. 
The proper course for Mr. Baird to pursue is to forward his 
recommendations to Prof. Henry, with a letter stating his wishes, 
and referring to such notices of himself in scientific works as he 
thinks useful. He should also secure the influence of such of the 
Regents as he can, by letter or otherwise. I will endeavor to assure 
him the good-will of Messrs Evarts, Choate, and Hilliard, as well 
as the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Jewett, of Providence, and if I can 
advance his interests in any other way, I shall certainly not forget 
to do so. 
From the Same to the Same. 
WasuinctTon, March 1, 1847. 
My pear Mary,— : » T8A7 
On receiving your husband’s letter with the recommendations, 
I put them in the hands of Mr. Pearce of the Senate, one of the 
Regents, and desired him to give them the proper direction. I have 
conferred with several other members of the board, and particularly 
with Mr. Hilliard, of Alabama, who saw Mr. Baird’s collection last 
summer and was much interested in both it and him. I have also 
written to Mr. Jewett, Assistant Secretary, who will have much 
