THE COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES = 419 
and House representing that State in Congress. A par- 
ticularly warm friendship existed between the Bairds and 
Senator Geo. F. Edmunds and his family. The Senator 
was himself much interested in fishing and hunting, as 
well as the weightier matters of the law. The repre- 
sentatives of the States engaged in the New England 
fisheries were of course kept on the alert by their con- 
stituents in regard to all matters connected with the 
fisheries and were well aware of the diminution of the 
catch along their coasts. With these men Professor 
Baird discussed his experiences on the Maine and Mas- 
sachusetts coasts, and the desirability of an enquiry 
into the causes thereof. These conferences eventually 
led to the following letter: 
From Spencer F. Baird to the Hon. H. L. Dawes, M. C. 
Wasuincton, Dec. 15, 1870. 
Dear Sir: 
In the accompanying communication I give you a memorandum 
in regard to the subject of the decrease of the fish of our coast; though 
I fear I have not expressed my ideas as satisfactorily as might be 
desired. 
In reference to the mode of action to be adopted in regard to 
this subject I have prepared a resolution which I commend to your 
consideration. 
If you feel inclined to take immediate action in regard to an appro- 
priation to meet the cost of the necessary investigation I would sug- 
gest that an item be introduced in one or other of the bills in your 
hands, providing the sum of say five thousand dollars, or as much 
thereof as may be necessary, to be expended by the Commissioner 
under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, in prosecuting: 
investigations into the subject of the food fishes of the Atlantic 
Coast, with a view of ascertaining what remedy can be applied toward 
securing the supply against its present rapid diminution. 
