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3

19 "Aug". 18.

[Wm.?] H. [Sholl?] Esq
Cleveland. Ohio,

Dear Sir

I gladly comply with your request to send you a copy of the Laws of this State preventing cruelty to animals; you will find this in the 2nd Annual Report, which we this day have forwarded to your address by mail.

I truly hope that a perusal of the Report of the proceedings of this Society, during the last year, will fill your heart, and the hearts of your wife & the ladies of your city, with a desire to found a Sister Society in your city, & thus build up a power, which shall teach & compel the doctrine to be observed, that the brute creation [has rights?] which must be respected.

The field is a vast one, but it is one which can be made profitable, not only in ameliorating the condition of "our dumb chattels," but in its effects upon our own race. The [scenes?] through which we [have?] passed, & are daily passing, [do?] not it is [true, give away every exalted idea?] of the dignity of man, or of the gentleness of [woman?], but [there?] is [illegible] satisfaction which impels us onward, & forward in the good cause, we know that God is with us in our efforts to protect this vast portion of His creation from cruelty.

In organizing a Society, we hope that you will make it applicable to the whole State, under the title of "The Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" and adopt our seal, so as to make it uniform throughout the U.S.

We hope to hear of the organization of such a Society in your city in a short time. & would be pleased to have you communicate to us your progress, to [further?] which we will render you all the [and?] in our power.

Yours Very [Respectfully?]
Henry [underlined] Bergh [underlined]
President