Most of the correspondence is directed to Goode, with lesser amounts to True, Walcott, and Rathbun. Also, a small amount of correspondence is addressed to the Secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, (Baird, 1878-1887; and Samuel P. Langley, 1887-1906) but is generally referred to the Assistant Secretary for response.
Much of the material is routine correspondence from the general public, and deals with offers to sell and collect specimens, the identification of artifacts and specimens,
museum administration, and requests for publications. Also evident is correspondence from contractors, publishing houses, and other firms conducting business transactions
with the United States National Museum. A large part of the international scientific community corresponded with the United States National Museum, and many letters concerning
19th century science and scientific affairs are contained in this collection. A large quantity of correspondence exists from museums, scientists, various scientific institutions,
and colleges and universities. Once again, much of the correspondence is routine, concerning exhibits, museum administration, requests for publications, and the exchange of
specimens. A voluminous amount of material regards United States National Museum publications. However, most of the correspondence concerns the technical production of the
manuscripts, rather than the content. Materials of special interest include correspondence from collectors and naturalists in the field, plans and accounts of scientific expeditions,
and data on significant accessions. A small amount of outgoing correspondence appears in the collection.
See Record Unit 112 for outgoing correspondence.
Historical Note:
These records comprise the primary incoming correspondence of the officer in immediate charge of the United States National Museum. Beginning in 1850 with the appointment
of Spencer F. Baird, the primary responsibility of the Assistant Secretary was the direction of the United States National Museum. The Assistant Secretary also performed other
functions at the direction of the Secretary, and for various periods of time was in charge of publications, exchanges, and other areas. Incumbents included: (1) Spencer F.
Baird, 1850-1878; (2) George Brown Goode, 1880-1896, including the years 1880-1887 when he served as assistant director of the museum without the title of Assistant Secretary;
(3) Charles D. Walcott, Acting Assistant Secretary, 1897-1898; (4) Richard Rathbun, 1897-1918. After Goode's death in 1896, the business of the office was administered for
a time by the executive curator, Frederick William True.
Restrictions:
Inquiries related to specimens should be directed to the appropriate museum registrar.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 189, Smithsonian Institution. Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum, Correspondence and Memoranda
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
On the flora of Guadalupe Island, Lower California : list of a collection of plants from Guadalupe Island, made by Edward Palmer, with his notes : descriptions of new species of plants, chiefly Californian, with revisions of certain genera / by Sereno Watson
Lists of plants from Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico collected chiefly by Dr. E. Palmer in 1879-80 ; II. Gamopetale to Acotyledones ; Descriptions of some new western species / by Sereno Watson
Lists of plants collected by Edward Palmer in Southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1885 ; Descriptions of new species of plants, chiefly from the Pacific states and Chihuahua ; Notes upon plants collected in the Dept. of Yzabal, Guatemala, Feb. to April, 1885 - I. Ranunculaceae to Connaraceae ; Notes upon some palms of Guatemala / by Sereno Watson
List of plants from Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico, collected chiefly by E. Palmer in 1879-80 ; Description of new species of plants from our Western territories / by Sereno Watson
Edward Palmer; a biographical sketch read at the meeting of January 10, 1911, on the occasion of the anniversary of Dr. Palmer's birth, by William Edwin Safford ..
