WCP6632

[[1] [p. 347]

Natural History Agency Office,

24 Bloomsbury Street, London

Aug. 9, 1859.

MY DEAR SIR¹, — I received on Saturday a long letter from Mr. Wallace from Ternate, April 28th, 1859, in which he speaks of Birds of Paradise, and the following is an extract² :—

In my next voyage to New Guinea I think it probable I may get some live Paradiseas (P. papuana), but I must have a definite arrangement, or will not trouble myself with them. I hear from captain of steamer there is one now in Batavia, for which 1000 rupees (£85) is asked; this is too much, but it shows their value here. Now I myself will not come home on any chance, and if sent, a person must come to take charge of them. If therefore the Crystal Palace Company wants them, you must get and send me out an order for a free passage from Singapore to England first-class, to any person in charge of Birds of Paradise for me; next they must either be put up to auction on arrival and the Palace get them at their market price, or they must agree to pay as follows: if only one comes alive £100, the second £50, third and others up to ten £25 each. If they will not give this price I will not trouble myself, as it would be a most difficult and troublesome undertaking.³ I must have their answer immediately, and it must be understood that they take their chance of how many are females, as in the young birds I cannot tell the difference. This is my ultimatum.

I shall be writing to Mr. Wallace on the 20th or 24th of this month; perhaps you will be able to get a reply from the Company before that time.

Your faithfully, | Samuel Stevens.⁴