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CONFIDENTIAL.

#33 Ferry Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan,
December 30th, 1905.

Dear Truman:--

I am much obliged for your kindness in sending a copy of the WASHINGTON POST. What a strong letter the President sent to the Chief Justice, and how truly it rings! It will doubtless wake up some of the sleepy ones connected with the Smithsonian. In order that you may have at hand the information spoken of in my previous correspondence, and also verbally at the time I saw you in Washington, I enclose herewith a copy of my original proposal, addressed to S. P. Langley, Esq., Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, under date of December 27th, 1904. I also enclose a copy of my letter, addressed to the President, dated December 15th, 1905, which you will see modifies the conditions as proposed by the President. I find that the letter handed to the President contained one error. In Clause 4, the type-writer substituted danger for damage. This, however, is of slight importance, for if the offer is accepted the lawyers will attend to drawing up the necessary papers in proper legal form.  

The enclosed documents are, of course, for your personal use. The letter of December 27th has never been published, and I think it wiser that it never should be, unless some time in the future the President should desire to have it made public.