HON. SIR PRESEDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I announce to you that I am inventing Perpetual Motion I have once had my paterns stolen or I should had the machine in running order before this and I have altered my plan so that it carrys a shaft and wheel and when constructed on a large plan it will move machinery, And being on a new plan and different from all others and I am sure of success which I hope to place before the world soon. Though in consequence of poor health and not having the means to work with it will take some months longer to accomplish it I might write you the plan but I am not sure that you will receive this And now I wish to ask a few questions which I hope you will answer by writing as soon as you receive this 1st has there been a patent granted or applied for on perpetual motion 2nd has the Government a bounty offered to the inventor 3d when the Machine is in perfect running order and shure that it will go without stoping will you and a man from the Patent Office come on and grant me a patent and fetch me the bounty if there is one. 4th is there eney way that I can have time to get the machine completed before others can apply for a Patent Please write soon and address —— MAY 1872 HON FRIEND—_Solicitor of Patents_ I have invented a secret form of writing expressly for the use of our gov in time of warfare the publick demands it, It is different from any other invention known to the publick in this or any gov. It consists simply of the English alphabet and can be changed to any form that the safety of our gov. demands it no higherglyphicks are employed but it is practicable and safe I propose to sell it to our gov for the sum of one million dollars I will meet any committee appointed to investigate the matter. If you will give me your influence in Congress and aid in bringing a sale of the invention about to our gov or any other I will reward you with the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) It is no illusion or a whim of the brain but is what I represent it to be scientific practicable and safe, Wishing to hear from you on the subject I remain Yours most truly —— CHAPTER XLII. THE WAR DEPARTMENT.