Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-07
SYMPATHY FOR MIR. BARNUM.
COrrespOnd encc.

Mr.. p. L. BARNUM-Dear Sir: The financial
ruin Of a man of acknowledged energy and en-
terprise, is public calamity. The sudden
blow, therefore, that has swept away, from a
man like yourself the accumulated wealth Of
years, justifes, we think, the public sympathy
The better to manifest our sincere respect for
yonr liberal example in prosperity, as well as
exhibit our honest admiration of your fortitude
under overwhelming reverses, we propose to
give that sympathy tangible expression by
soliciting your acceptance OF series of benefits
for your family, the result of which may pos
sby secure for your wife and children future
home, or at least rescue them from the more
immediate consequences of your misfortune.
New YORK, June 2, 1856.
Here follows long list of names.
Earnum's Acknowledgment.
LONG ISLAND, Tuesday, June 3, 1856.
GENTLEMEN: can hardly find words to ex.
press my gratitude for your very kind PROPOSE
ton. The popular sympathy is to me far more
precious than gold, and that sympathy seems
in my case to extend from my immediate
neighbors in Bridgeport to all parts of our
Union.
ProAers of pecuniary assistance have reached
me from every quarter not only from friends,
but from entire strangers. Mr.. VIM. +. Burton,
Miss Laura Keene, and Mr.. William Niblo have
in the kindest manner rendered me the receipts
of their theatres for one evening. Mr.. Cough
volunteered the proceeds of one Of his attrac-
tive leetures--Mr James Pbalen generously
offered me the free use of the Academy of
Music Many professional ladies and gentle
men have urged me to accept their gratuitous
services. ! have, on principle, respectfully de-
clined them all, as beg, with the most CRATE
full acknowledgements, lat least for the pre-
sent) to decline yours-not because benefit
in itself is an Objectionable thing, but because
have ever made it point to ask nothing of
the public on personal grounds, and should
prefer, while can possibly avoid that contin-
gency to accept nothing from it without the
honest conviction that bad individually given
it in return full equivalent.
While favored with health, feel competent
to earn an honest livelihood for myself and
family. More than this shall certainly never
attempt with such load of debt suspended in
terrorem over me. While / earnestly thank
you therefore, for your generous consideration,
gentlemen; l trust you will appreciate my de-
sire to live unhumiliated by a sense of depen
dence, and believe me sincerely yours.
p. 7. BARNUM.
To Messre Freeman Hunt, L. X. Collins,
and others.
General Tom Thumb to MIR. Barnum.
JONES HOTEL, PHILADELPHIA, May IL, 1856.
MY DEAR Mn. BARNUM: l understand your
friends, and that means "all creation" intend
to get up some benefits for your family. Now
my dear sir, Just be good enough to remember
that belong TO that mighty crowd, and | must
have finger Tor at least thumb in that pie.
am bound to appear on all such occasions in
some shape, from "Jack the Giant Killer" up
stairs, to the door keeper down, whichever may
serve you best, and there are some fedts that
can perform as well as any other man OF my
inches.
/ have started out on my Western tour, and
have my carriage ponies and assistants all
here, but | am ready to go on to New York
bag and baggage, and remain at Mrs. Barnum's
service as long as in my SMALL way can be
useful. Put me into any "heavy" york if you
like. Perhaps cannot lift as much as some
other folks, but just take your pencil in hand
and you will see | can drdw tremendous
load. | drew two hundred tuns at a single pull
today, embracing two thousand persons, whom
hauled up safely and satisfactorily to all
parties at one exhibition. Hoping that you
will be able TO fix up lot Of magnets that will
attract all New York, and volunteering to SIT
on any part of the loadstone, am, as ever,
your little but sympathizing friend,
GENERAL TOM THUMB.