BARNUM P. T.: (1810-1891) American showman, promoter and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. A.L.S., P. T. Barnum, one page, 4to, New York, 24^th February 1856, to Messrs. Curtis & Scribner. Barnum writes concerning a property on Bank Street and states, in part, 'A Mr. Brayton of Cleveland (coal dealer) called on me to day to say that his wife Charlotte G. Brayton took a mortgage on that property for $1800 in July/53 & that the interest had been paid punctually until & except last payment due Jan[uary]y last. If the records show this prior mortgage to exist of course that weakens the securities so much. I hope you will learn the facts in the case & at all events I trust the matter will all be settled up as soon as possible'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

In the early 1850s Barnum had begun investing to develop East Bridgeport, Connecticut, making substantial loans which, by 1856 (the year of the present letter) had eliminated Barnum's wealth. Thus began four years of litigation and public humiliation, with many critics celebrating Barnum's public dilemma. However, the showman undertook a European tour with Tom Thumb, and also started his own lecture tour as a temperance speaker. By 1860, Barnum had emerged from debt.