“MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Dec. 20, ’67. “MY DEAR LINDSAY--OR LINDLEY: “It is so long since we have met, or communicated, I have forgotten how to _spell_ your _name_! “I had hoped to have seen you last summer on my way to the Great Exposition, but the continued illness of my wife prevented me from going over _at all_. I am glad, however, to hear a good account from you by the Tom Thumb party--Kellogg Wells &c. “I have a singular sort of commission for you to execute for me. It is to look at some wild animals for me to add to my Zoölogical Collection. Ordinarily I send such things to my friend Fillingham, but lately I think a circus & menagerie Co. here have enlisted him in their service, hence I wish you to make the inquiries for me _without communicating_ the same to _Fillingham_ or _anybody else_. “I want to purchase any of the following animals at a reasonable price--Zebras, Gnu or horned horse--a small Rhinoceros--Giraffe, Hippopotamus--Polar Bear--African Wart Hogs, Lamas--Striped & spotted Hyenas, double humped Camels--Kangaroos & almost any other animals not natives of this country. I have written the Secry of the Zoölogical Gardens, Regents Park, so it is not necessary to apply there, but I want you to apply in person or by note to _Jamrack_ the great animals man in London, also to any other persons in London who trade in living Wild Animals--and also write to such parties in Liverpool or any other part of Great Britain as keep wild animals on exhibition or for sale. ☞ Don’t let them know or suspect _who_ you apply for. Let them think it is for some traveling concern in Great Britain or France, & especially don’t let _Jamrack_ suspect America, for he has an agent here and as soon as you can get lists of animals & prices please write them to me. Possibly it might pay to put an advertisement in the _Era_ for me once saying the advertiser wishes to buy the wild animals of a Zoölogical Garden or Collection, or will buy at reasonable prices wild animals of almost any description, and especially Zebra, Gnu or horned horse (here go on & name the others which I have mentioned). If you think it would also be advisable to put it once in the _Times_ or _Telegraph_ you can do so, although I don’t want to expend money on uncertainties & can hardly think it will help much to advertise, except perhaps once in _Era_--but of that I leave you to judge, only don’t do _more_ than one insertion in one or all of the papers named above. Hoping to hear from you soon & not wishing you to take steps which will incur much expense I am “Your old friend, “P. T. BARNUM.”