Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, December 6, 1905

I have yours of 4th and I return the Ferber letter with a translation. I think that you will readily establish that it is not a gold brick you have to sell, but that there will be a good deal of hesitancy about the price.

Answering your question: Mr. Manly is about 5 ft. 6 in. tall, youthful looking, and with a brown mustache.

When in Boston last April, I told Mr. S. Cabot that you had offered your machine to the U.S., and had been turned down. A week or so ago he wrote to ask whether you needed financial assistance. I answered that you did not but had talked of organizing a joint stock co. He now writes that this may be floated by Lee Higginson & Co. of Boston, and suggests that you and I should come on for an interview, and a consultation with a patent expert. I have answered that I would submit the question to you, but doubted your readiness to make talk at present. What do you say?

How do you get on with the U.S. Patent Office?

Would you like to have your matters privately presented to the President or to some member of Congress, so as to lead for a request for past correspondence?

Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, December 8, 1905