ASPCA Letter book, 1868

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endure the accumulated miseries heaped upon it, from the day of its capture until the present time, and that the sores upon the flesh, along with its general emaciated appearance were the results of its own bad behavior!!

Thus ended an inquiry, which however much I may be abused for making, was nevertheless performed at a cost to my sensibilities, beyond my powers of expression, and strictly in the interests of the public, and those inferior creatures whose claims on man's mercy we are striving - not wisely perhaps for our own peace - to enforce

New York Dec 15, 1868

I have the honor to be yout obt servt Henry Bergh [underlined] Pres

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American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

New York Dec 19. 1868

To the Editor of the Sun,

In your edition of today I have seen a reply to the facts which I uttered a few days since through the columns of the N.Y. Times [illegible] signed by a person calling himself "Issac Freese Jr. [illegible] NYT & [illegible] Co Communipaw.

If the public took the trouble to send the letter which I had to honor to address to them, it will be remembered that I anticipated the abuse which this person employs and if he be the same with whom I conferred on the occasion of my [late?] visit. it is in entire keeping with the profane language he uttered during the interview.

It will be percieved that only one of the [illegible] in my letter is denied by him & this is done by the kindred [illegible] [lie?]"

This echo from the slaughterhouse, also condoles with me on my ignorance, and unfitness for the post I hold. In reply to this, I have to say, for his enlightenment that if I am unfitted for the position I try to fill "I am at least using my poor abilities to the best advantage I am able, & if I am to believe the utterances of the thousands with whom I am in contact, and letters which reach one from almost all parts of the world, I am performing this unselfish & difficult duty, to the satisfaction of all right [men?] & women. But, it is not surprising that my [labors] [illegible] to command his approval they are opposed [in?] [the?] [illegible] the existence of [illegible] [of?] [past?]

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every other delegated authority, which holds outlaws in subjection. Moreover the "weakness of the upper story" of which this learned, polished & sagacious gentleman speaks, must have been overlooked, or unappreciated when the Government of this Country selected " the poor man" he alludes to to represent it at a foreign Court, and recorded its regret when he quitted his post.

I have done, & shall not allow myself again to be Drawn into a similar [controversy?] - nor, shall in insulence or violence from any quarter, serve in the minutist degree to [deter?] me from pleading for and protecting the helpless dumb dependants of mankind so song as life, human [law?], and [illegible] [sentiment?] afford me the power of doing so.

Yours Respectfully Henry Bergh President

165

New York Sept 10th 1865

[Helen?] [Lorilland?] Esq

To Henry Bergh _ Dr.

[To?] one half of [upholstery?] bill, for repair of furniture as per lease of house [illegible] $31.50 _ 15.75

Carpenter's bill house & stable $54.49 _ 27.24 His proportion of Mason's bill $25.88 _ 23.88 Damage done to carpet by [illegible] & soot, estimated by Expert _ 60._do - " to yellow satin furniture - do _ 100._do - " to gilded candlabra _ 5.Repair of broken [campstool?] _ 10.Laundry stove repairs _ 2._do - " to dining room mirror frame _ 1.50 Broken window glass in [illegible] _ 1._"_ stable _ 1.6 "_ glass gas shades a 12f _ 9.7 months use of [illegible] water, paid by [illegible] B._ 8.75 ___ $250.12

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[25?] Novr 69

In [making?] this present appeal to you I will offer [no?] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] to say that I do it in the interest of Humanity, and [illegible] it is my duty

It is the [custom?] [of?] corporations, and others employing large numbers of horses, [whenever?] they become unfit for further service, to sell them to infe[illegible], or send them directly to the horse market.

[In?] [either?] [case?], [however?], the majority of these animals reach that Depot, [illegible] redistributed [illegible] the town, to be wounded & tortured to death. The purpose of this note is to implore you, no longer to permit [creatures?] [which?] have [illegible] given their strength & labor to their masters while [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] & [inform?] to [illegible] to a final service, which can [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] as [illegible] [illegible]. It is [real?] mercy; when animals [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [career?], to send them directly to the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] destroyed & of [illegible] [illegible] the [illegible]

Yours Very [illegible] Henry Bergh [Pres.?]