New York, December 30, 1868. 



Commissioners of the Central Park : 



Dear Sirs — A number of gentlemen having long desired that a great 

 Museum of Natural History should be established in the Central Park, and 

 having now the opportunity of securing a rare and very valuable collection as 

 a nucleus of such Museum, the undersigned wish to enquire if you are disposed 

 to provide for its reception and development. 



James Brown, John David Wolfe, 



Alex. T. Stewart, Eobert Colgate, 



Benj. H. Field, I. N. Phelps, 



Adrian Tselin, Levi P. Morton, 



Eobert L. Stuart, W. A. Haines, 



Marshall 0. Roberts, J. Pierpont Morgan, 



Theodore Roosevelt, A. G-. Phelps Dodge, 



George Bliss, D. Jackson Steward, 



Morris K. Jesup, Howard Potter. 



William T, Blodgett, 



Office of The Board of Commissioners [ 



of the Central Park, New York, January 13, 1869. \ 



Gentlemen — The Commissioners of the Central Park have received your 

 communication, in which inquiry is made if they are disposed to provide the 

 reception and development of a large and valuable collection, as a nucleus of a 

 Museum of Natural History. 



The Commissioners appreciating the views you so kindly express, entirely 

 concur in the desirability of the establishment of a Mnseum in the Park, that 

 ahall become an aid in the Great Educational System of the city, concentrate 

 and develop Scientific efforts in all departments of Natural History, and at 

 the same time be an instructive and acceptable resort for the people of the 

 city, and for the throng of strangers that visit it. 



The Commissioners of the Park will very gladly receive the collection to 

 which you allude, and will use their best exertions toward the establishment of 

 a Museum of Natural History, of an extent and excellence in all its depart- 

 ments that will be creditable to the city, and in their efforts towards the devel- 



