[Stamped letterhead:]
American Patent Agency
188 W. Fifth St.
Cincinnati O.

I.B. McQuesten Esq.

Dear Sir--- Your letter of the 12th duly recd [sic].

A member of our leading railroad men have just left this office, who have been here to examine the coupler.¹ We take pleasure in stating that they were very much pleased with the workings of the coupler and know that they feel perfectly satisfied that it will operate successfully in practice, but like men who are at the head of all corporations they want to see it work themselves on cars. The roads here, as well as elsewhere, have been a great deal humbugged by testing couplers which afterwards proved worthless.

The officers of the PanHandle, Little Miami, C.H. & D. and O. & M. (that is Cincinnati, Hamilton & Daytona and Ohio & Mississippi) Railroads, have made us the following proposition: If [sic] we will furnish each road 2 full size couplers, put them on and after a thorough test prove efficient as represented--that is will the work as satisfactorily as the model in our office works, they will buy. They recognize the need of just such a coupler and are willing to pay for it, but they do not want to go to any more expense in testing them. These roads are all wealthy and if they go into it, it will soon be adopted by the other roads. All freight cars running from this city still use the old coupling bar and we are aware that if your coupler will successfully stand the test its future will be a grand success.

We write fully so you can understand the points in the case thoroughly. We are glad you have furnished a good model. "Goods well put up are half sold." This applies to patents as well. Trusting we may hear from you at once we remain

¹ Isaac invested money in train car couplers but William Dunn, his partner in the matter, proved to be incompetent and unreliable, making the investment an unprofitable one. See W2554a.