Publication InformationWashington Mch 21 '49

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Dear Baird

I asked Mr Henry yesterday if he had a place for you, to which he replied, that he thought there would be, as soon as any progress had been made in collecting. I said nothing to about, Elliot, but Mr Jewett thinks it impossible that Mr Henry contemplates any such movement as you suppose. It is entirely out of the of the concern to have professors, & I can't think there is anything of it, at least so far as the is concerned, and without the Board Mr H. can do nothing. If you can get a fair translation-- made at [37p] cents, is it not a good operation for you? I should say yea.

We shall visit you . It would depend upon the length of time we are detained here, & Mrs M's health both of which are very uncertain. I send Fremont by this mail. I fear I shall not be at home in time for the menobranchi, but have written to a friend to get some for you if possible.

I had some expectations of a mission, & should have succeeded if the Vermonters at Washington had made an effort for me. I may still be offered one, but if so, I am not likely to owe it to the good will of the people of my own state,

Yours trulyG P Marsh

References in this letter:

Trained as a physicist, Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was professor of natural philosophy at Princeton University where he conducted original research on electricity and magnetism. When the Smithsonian Institution was created, he was chosen as its first Secretary. From 1846 to 1878 Henry established basic policies and defined the scope of the Smithsonian's activities.

Charles Coffin Jewett (1816-1868), a distinguished librarian from Brown University, was appointed senior assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1848. He and Joseph Henry were continually in conflict over the importance of the library within the Institution's mandate and he was fired by the Board in 1855. He later became superintendent of the Boston Public Library.