Publication InformationFlorence Feby 9' 67

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Dear Baird

I sent off a fortnight ago, through the U.S. Desp agt at N.Y., a box in which I put the volume of Transactions, some leaves of which I sent you before by mail, & the package for Canestrini --

I have since received a letter from Prof. Henry enclosing two letters from societies at Turin & Milan. These I have forwarded & written that I will take care of anything they choose to send.

Lastly, I have rec'd yours of-- about the Baltimore tabula rasa, which rather perplexes me. To say the truth, it has but one attraction--bread; for I shall go home, when my diplomatic carreer is ended, as I came hither, penniless. Not only have we saved nothing, but we have run sadly behind hand since we came to Florence. We are now so far through the preliminary expenses of a [text lost] that we hope as can

live upon our salary hereafter. This, if Mr Johnson lets us alone, is a provision for two or three years. How much more can a man of 66, almost calculate on? In this climate, my chances of life are double what they would be at home, and though I will not say I like this better, yet, all things considered, for an old man and a solitary life, is more enjoyable and fruitful here than in America.

I won't go into detail about the objections to accepting the post you speak of, but these queries stare me in the face. Could I, with the surroundings I must have in order to work, live in Baltimore on such a salary as I could earn and the Institute would be willing to pay? What are the duties & responsibilities I should incur? I could do nothing, whatever, pedagogically, nothing financially. In fact, I never found out what I was good for, except miscellaneous, volunteer work, odd jobs about nothing. I am afraid it is a tempting of Providence to refuse any nibble, for the "abhored " may "slit" my thread of office tomorrow, & if I refuse such a prospect, what then? All this leads to no conclusio[n and?] in the uncertainty [...]

I can arrive at none. Before I would agree to be a candidate, however, I should wish to know two things, first, pretty definitely what would be the salary, and what appurtances, commodities, pickings & stealings, besides? Secondly, what amount & kind of duty would be exacted, this, of course, approximately. I have now means of occupying myself in a way for which I am not totally unfitted, that is, so writing for periodicals as--not to teach, I disdain that--but to stir up people to teach themselves more than I know and in that way, I do some good. I do not want to be so engrossed as to be obliged to give all this up, unless it be for other works not absolutely repugnant to my taste, and work also in which I should feel that I was making my self as useful as I now am.

As to politics, I am, as you know, et --colors neither of which might suit a Baltimore public. Those things I can't change, wouldn't if I could, & indeed I

would accept no place with fetters of moral servitude.

It has occurred to me as a possibility that the organisation is not so far advanced as to need such services as I could render, . If it were a question as to what I would like to do a year or two hence, it would be another matter. Could I be useful while here? in the way of making collections of any sort?

I am ashamed to write thus vaguely, but I really feel that I have not the elements for arriving at a decision. If I must decide now, I should run the risk of saying, , but with more light & more time, I might answer otherwise.

I am most sincerely thankful to you for the suggestion of what may be a very desirable possibility, & wish I could save you further trouble by a more definite answer but I am too much in the dark to [...]

[Text written vertically] Mrs Marsh joins me in love to you all. I enclose such stamps as I find in my waste basket & will look for more.

Yours trulyG P Marsh

Prof Baird

References in this letter:

In 1847 Joseph Henry proposed a publishing program for the Smithsonian Institution to honor Smithson's bequest for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. In 1849, the first volume, edited by Marsh, was published in a series called "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge." This volume was distributed to 173 foreign institutions and marked the beginning of the Smithsonian's exchange network. Subsequent monographs were based on original scientific work sponsored by the Smithsonian and on Smithsonian collections. The series was apparently conceived as part of a larger series called "Transactions of the Institution."

Giovanni Canestrini correct text Giovanni Canestrini (1835-1900) was an Italian zoologist and ichthyologist.

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.

Marsh was appointed United States Minister to Italy by the newly elected President Lincoln in 1861 and after Lincoln's reelection he continued in the post. Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson confirmed Marsh's reappointment. When Marsh died in 1882 he had served in the position for over twenty years.