Item 1 - Letter from Edward Smith Stanley, Earl of Derby, to William Ogilby

1 letter

Answered July 26th 1839

Dear Sir

By one of the recent arrivals from the Cape I learn that my friends there have been kind enough among other things to send over for me what they call a large Male Water Buffalo by this I imagine they mean what I know by the name of the Bos Caffer and that is an animal that I fear is of too violent and savage a nature for me to receive him here but it is undoubtedly an animal of great rarity having I believe never before made its appearance in England (if in Europe) before above. If in that character, or any other the Council wd. consider him an acquisition to their Collection in the Park. I shall be very glad if they will do me the Honour to receive him. It will be still almost as gratifying to me as having him here at Knowsley without the continual dread I shd. be under of accidental injuries happening were he to come down hither when I have nothing like the appliances and means of Security than wd. be [?] with you. He is at present in your neighbourhood being under Mr [Garnett's?] care to whom I have also written by this Post authorising the transfer of the Beast to any one who may apply for it under authority of the Society. I have also had some intimation of a very [savage?] Black Tiger and of a very [tame?] Royal Bengal [?] being coming to me. I know not how or from whom but as another of them are in my [?] I shall beg to offer their [refusal?] to the Council if they would honour me with by their acceptance. I only heard of them casually from my Son who said someone had told him they had seen them I think at the Cape and understood they were for me. It is thus a very blind offer I am making but I thought it best to be sure of the Council's inclination against their [?] as, if declined I should [?] them to be immediately disposed of. I have also been lucky enough to enlist [Gen. J/T Anna?] in my service for [Mexican Roosters?] in return for English. I think this may be a promising speculation for me I hope you find matters [?] satisfactorily. For [?] of as I refer to Fuller to whom I also write today

Yrs very truly

Derby

To Wm. Ogilby Esq