Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, January 14, 1904

Your letter dated Jan. 8th, addressed simply to Chicago, only reached me last night, after having apparently passed through the hands of several mail carriers. I enclose the envelope.

I am amazed at the impudence of Mr. Herring in asking for 1/3 of your invention. While I could wish that you had applied for patents when first I urged you to do so, I think that your interests are quite safe. The fact that Mr. Herring visited your camp, in consequence of circumstances which I subsequently regretted, will certainly upset any claims which he may bring forth. I suppose that you can do nothing until an interference is declared. If it is, please call on me, and in the meantime try to find out who is his patent attorney.

In the clipping which you sent me you say: "All the experiments have been conducted at our own expense, without assistance from any individual or institution." Please write me just what you had in your mind concerning myself when you framed that sentence in that way.

Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, January 18, 1904