Publication InformationSmithsonian InstitutionWashington, D.C., Jan 28 1881

Dear Sir;

We beg to state that, through the American & European Express (Morris'), we send you a box containing a bust of the late Professor Henry, and a few other articles, for the use of Mr. Story in preparing his model for the Henry statue and would respectfully request that you will inform Mr. Story on its arrival, that he may lose no time in availing himself of its contents.

I have the honor to be,

Very truly yoursSpencer F Baird SecretaryHon. Geo. P. Marsh,American Minister,Rome,Italy

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.

William Wetmore Story (1819-1895), a graduate of Harvard Law School, eventually left the law for sculpture, settling in Rome. Two of his most famous pieces, both reflecting an interest in exotic subjects, are "Cleopatra" (1858) and "The Libyan Sibyl" (1861).