FINAL WORK DAYS 279 



There was soon another matter of vital importance 

 which Baird wished to announce to his friend, and, on 

 February 8, he wrote Audubon: 



Very much to my astonishment I received last Saturday a 

 letter from Mr. Dana saying that he had written to Dr. Picker- 

 ing that I would make a good curator of the Smithsonian in- 

 stitute, and advising me if I wished the place to write im- 

 mediately to Prof. Henry and enclose my credentials. Now 

 I would like the situation amazingly and write to ask you to 

 make out a flaming recommendation for the place & send me 

 as soon as possible. Say what you please about qualifica- 

 tion &c. I would be obliged to you for the exertion of any 

 personal influence you may have on the board of Regents. 

 When there I would hope to be materially useful to you in 

 your labors. 



This was followed, on February 11, by a cordial let- 

 ter from Audubon, in which he said: 



I am quite convinced myself that no one can easily be found 

 so well adapted for such a trust as yourself and if my testi- 

 money as to your knowledge and high character and industry, 

 and your zeal in seeking a perfect acquaintance with the vari- 

 ous branches of Natural History, and all the scientific and 

 literary pursuits which have heretofore occupied you, may be 

 of any service, please present this note to the Honorable Board 

 of Regents, who I trust will receive it as an evidence of my 

 ardent desire for your success, the more readily as I have the 

 honor, I think, of knowing some of the Board personally. 



Spencer Fullerton Baird's subsequent career, fol- 

 lowing his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution in July, 1850, as successor to 

 Professor Henry, its first Secretary, as the organizer 

 of the United States National Museiun and the Fish 



