Transcribe Baird, Spencer Fullerton. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1876-04-07)

[page 2] objects. You well know how rich we are in all these matters; but perhaps do not fully appreciate the mag -nitude in some directions. I am quite sure, however, that so far as illustrations of the natural history of North America are concerned we could supply more & at short- -er notice, than could possible be procured elsewhere.

       I have not time now to do any ^thing in^ this matter; ^of solution^ but as

soon as the Centennial is over, in the general rearrange -ment of the Museum, there will be an opportunity.

       We, as you know, do not sell specimens, but

a contribution of certain funds to enable us to make a centennial display would be considered an equivalent for the series in question.

       While the second set of the Smithsonian Centen-

-nial, Mineral Collection, would be fully worth, in- -trinsically & scientifically, $15,000, as first mentioned, I think that the present series, to include a fair show of the minerals, would be cheap at $10,000, a sum which I fear is as little as would answer our pur- poses. I am quite sure that you could not fo- rage elsewhere to so good advantage as in our store rooms, especially in view of the fact that we expect an enormous material in the way of con -rributions from foreign exhibitors at the Centennial.

       I have not given up the hope of getting an appropriation