RK-388

[printed letterhead] No. [written] 1288 [printed] Smithsonian Institution, [written] 1 [printed] Washington, D. C. [written] October 24 [printed] 18 [written] 57

My Dear Robert

I received your letter of the 14’ from, St. Paul, and was very glad to hear of your safe arrival there. I can assure you I look forward with very great interest to the sight of what you have gathered.

I am glad you have made such good use of the cans and nets and hope they will return full freighted with treasures. I am truly delighted that you have been enabled to open such a new field, and hope you will prosecute it diligently. I am in strong zeal for the Hudsons Bay trip: the farther north and west, the better.

I have already sent off the pamphlets you desired sent, and shall probably write to Mr. McTavish. I am very glad you saw Mr. Gunn. What is his business in life. You did right to encourage him. He sent us two specimens of Sorex palustris, and one of Arvicola xanthognatha, both

[page turned upside down, stamped over text in middle of page] J. Kennicott Brenton Collections

new to our collection.

As to what you had best bring here. my advice is everything. We will then know best what to supply you with, to make up the deficiencies in the series. I calculate largely on ridding our selves of redundant materials by turning over to the N. Western University. I particularly want to see your Illinois and Minnesota birds. I am writing nothing less than a complete work on North American birds (!) in connection with the Pacific RR Reports, and want to ascertain the impress of latitude, longitude &c. on specific forms and characters. I attach much importance to having access to your specimens in this.

I have sent several copies of my list of N. Am. Mammals forming the introductory to the 800 quarto paged book on the subject, now all printed but waiting for the completion of the engravings. This as you know monographs all the species. I hope to do the birds in the same way

[printed letterhead] No. [written] 1288[printed] Smithsonian Institution, [written] 2 [printed] Washington, D. C. 18

[written] I have already done nearly two thirds of it; – When finished, then for the reptiles.

By all means take the presentation to National Medical College. You ought to do some medical study while here; so as to have it count in your getting a profession. By the way, bring along what notes and memoranda you need to write the remainder of your article on the mammals; the Secretary of Interior and Commissioner of Patents have authorized its completion in the next report, so that your expenses here will be secured.

You had better become as well acquainted with Illinois Members of Congress, as possible. So as to get books from them. They will have it in their power to furnish a great many this winter of much interest.

I think the idea of writing out your travels for the Chicago paper a very good one. The training in composition will be excellent and if you get pay for it, all the better.

Very truly yours Spencer F Baird

Robt. Kennicott West Northfield Ill

P. S. Have you brought along that old package of Mr. Cavileers. Sent down by him long ago

Oct. 25. I have written a long letter to Mr. McTavish at Fort Garry