[62]

38

[illegible] at the [back?] of the [illegible], in getting "An Act for the more [effectual?] Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" - passed on 12 April 1867.

Again in 1868 [he?] appeared in Albany with a bill containing 14 sections, [which?] [illegible] had [taught?] him as necessary in the execution of the purposes of the Society. [You?] [illegible] [illegible], the bill was reported to the House, s[illegible] of ton [underlined] of its sections, [and?] [I?] [think?] [illegible] you have read this Bill before it was thus shown you will agree with me, that they were of the highest vital & moral importance to the Community, you will find the Bill on pages 29.30. &31 of our 2 . Annual Report, which I today send you by mail, but even this shadow of a Bill [fails?] to pass!!

It is to be [hopeful?] that the excitement caused by the cattle plagues will have a good effect in opening the eyes of the people to the [fact?] of the cruelties practised upon cattle brought by [rail?] to the East; the close packing [underlined], want of rest, food, & [water?] have been the [illegible] cause of the epidemic beyond a doubt; in view of the dangers hovering over us, we trust, that our Legislators, if they have no regard for the poor brutes, will have some regard for themselves & their [constituents?] & [enact?] laws for the [protection?] [illegible] of those [creatures?], [destined?] to [yield?] [up?] their lives [to?] sustain [mankind?]. [What?] [illegible] want [of?] [humanity?] [illegible] [illegible] them indifferent to, their [illegible] as [illegible] [all?] [members?], [illegible] [in?] [all?] probability [cause?] them to do.

Of no means discouraged at the failure of our Bill last session, our President will again appear before the Legislature at its next session, asking that Body to further strengthen our [bonds?] for the protection of the dumb servants of our race; as [we?] progress in the divine work and feel that in ameliorating their condition, we [insensibly?] in[illegible] a [desire?] to raise the moral standard of mankind for the spirit of Mercy shedding its benign influence over our actions, makes our lives [illegible] in this world & fits us for the other.

Truly we wish for God speed in your noble work of Humanity and hope that you will not only [agree?], but [illegible] us in touching the [great?] [illegible], [that?] [the?] [brute?] [creature?] has rights which must & shall be respected.

Yours Very Respectfully,
J Mudie[signature]
Chief Clerk