Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1882-09)

ybg [Sep. 1882] Washington, Tuesday night, Dear Prof:

    I have precisely 20 minutes in which

to comply with your elephant request. You need not give </u me > credit for anything unless it is really </u necessary > to your purpose. No need to mention me at all. Above all remember that Jumbo is promised to us, and if any reference to me would tend to make Barnum or Bailey down on </u me >, they wouldn't let us have the beast. I would not </u dare > to say publicly what I think of the beast, but you can say as much for me as you like if I am not mentioned.

</u Jumbo's General Appearance > The ugliest elephant that ever came to town, with an unusually ugly </u sway > back, perhaps from being ridden when young. </u Very > small, & very homely head, & Thin trunk, worst type according to Hindu & Singhalese classification of points. Very thin legged animal.

</u Height of Elephants >