Library Collections: Document: Full Text

N.Y. Sunday, February 5th, 1843

My dear Moses,

I never was more happily disappointed Your letter today about the giant booby. I had made up -my mind- that it would be a failure, and that I should pay their expenses-and- wages and send them back without exhibiting -- a thousand thanks saving me the trouble and expense -- the fact is, a half and half giant or anything else is good for nothing. I have concluded to have no -kind- or sort of performance at Peales, nothing but the -gypsy-? She at $5 per week -- lady doorkeeper at $3.50 per week, boy to sweep out $3.50 per week -- advertisements $3.50 per week -- fuel $1, Gas $8, Rent $25 -- total $47 we -average- $8 to $10 per day receipts -average- -- thus clearing the rent -- which is not very

Tom Thumb left for Philadelphia today -- yesterday was his adieu Farewell "Benefit". I took $280! Did you ever hear the like? The day previous took $90 -- odd. I have the Rocky Mountain wild -Indians?- this week. Give them one half after deducting $400! for the weeks -e. . .- That is a leetle better than to give them two thirds a la Peales.

By the way Peale wrote me the other day to ask if I could not send him a Tom Thumb -- or a two-headed man or -something- to create an excitement. The poor devil can't raise another . . .and Indian Harvest. -- I replied that I could furnish -him with a- "beast with 7 heads and 10 horns" at short notice, or any other that he ordered -- that Tom Thumb was made to my order six -months- ago -- and being now nearly new and without a rival, he was -very- valuable -- that I thought he could take $1200 per. week in Balti-more- Museum and that he might engage him if he gave me. . .

I shall let him chew upon that a few days -- He certainly -never- -shall- have him for less than half. I went to Philadelphia last night could not get into the Museum anyway - a superintendent said that for a present . . .,000, he would not have the dwarf for any -kind- of performances or living curiosity exhibited there. I tried to point out his folly when he replied that he knew all about it -- that performances could serve -to- keep up the excitement more than one year - that he once made $40,000 in one year with that Museum and the next year lost half that amount. I told him he was a liar in saying that; and a fool in expecting to make me believe it and left him in a rage.

When I went there he was sweeping out the Chinese Museum. I supposed he was some loafer -- who he is I don't know, but I expect is some fool that the stockholders have placed there confining him to those restrictions.

I engaged Masonic Hall front room first floor for only $12 per week including gas and fuel. If I don't clear $1000 there I shall for the thousandth time in my life be mistaken. -I- hope to get through with Phil. and Baltimore, and take him -sometime- myself then let you have him by about the -middle - of March. But you must drive business when you get him and to assist him in that, I shall send you some Lithographs to distribute about your whole city -- especially in all public show windows -- Hotels -- P. Office etc. etc. -- The stone and 500 lithographs cost me $40 so they will cost you 8 cts. each. I will try to send you 25 on Monday, and -if- you can use more send for as many as you like. -It- seems to me you could distribute -them- to advantage -- but perhaps not. I have practised -this- strong in Philadelphia, and I think with great effect.

I enclose you a funny kind of letter from A.C. a clerical friend of mine -- settled in the South (Charleston). His stuff about -hiring- to the show at $50 per month etc. is all sham -- though written with great apparent seriousness. The letter from Taylor is still better, and I think gives us occasion for more rejoicing and -thanks-- giving. I have placed $50 to your credit. Wasn't it lucky to -get- rid of slow-moving, lazy-boned Lyman? I'll warrant you. . . ever in. . .showing and scientifically explaining Taylor not only equals Lyman, but far exceeds him in point of industry and perseverance. He is faithful as the sun. It's not that -impulse- to sell the poor Charlestonians then beg back the money -paid- for license? This is a rich life! Having got the Indians I -will- now not die from want of attractions for sometime -- still I think -I- had better get that other fat boy and use him and send him on, -as soon- as possible, for if God should happen to bless us with Portuguese trip we shall soon have something at that boy will be a baby. I have sent to London for a -pony?- there for sale 30 inches high. Do you know of one not over three feet -?I- want it for Tom Thumb, to ride about the room on.

As ever -thine-
Barnum

(By the very excellent and never to be beaten Adams Express)

Moses Kimball, Esq.
Boston Museum