I.B. McQuesten
Hamilton Ont.

Dear Sir

Yours of the 26th inst. is to hand. I must say that after reading the letter carefully over I do not see a single expression That is not justifiable. I have always admitted The results of my actions were not satisfactory care to myself and possibly could not be to you, The reasons for which I have endeavoured to explain at great length with no wish to shirk my own responsibility but to justify my actions as far as possible. I have no wish to throw out the business until I had done all that could be done,¹ but here alone among strangers, dissatisfied at the result of my hard work, ill from work worry and perplexity. Seeing no way, without your aid, carrying out what I was expected and knew ought to become, has made me exceedingly gloomy and no doubt made me take an unreasonable view of things. For reasons which I am always willing to acknowledge and never forget. I am and have been very anxious to have these Patents so disposed of, to amply recoup you. For myself I do not care so much for I know that I would receive what I was fairly entitled to if left to yourself. There is no more saying further on this matter with regard to the Patents. As I stated before. I should try to get as much as possible for them. But if I could not get more than fully recouped everything, should be in from letting them go. This for each would be a very small price but of no more could be got take it, I think the Feeder will bring more than that but I will spend no money on that, excepting getting up a Circular which I intend sending when the Hall Feeder has been largely introduced. I had a letter from Hall a short time ago in which it says that the orders still carrying in are fair. My object in getting the Circular is to point its advantages over the others and endeavour to get orders for the purpose of showing the demand not to carry on the business, as the models for the Coupler may not be got having been gone so long it would be more expeditious to get a new one if it becomes necessary. The Locks would be absolutely necessary. The full sized Patterns for the Coupler I should send for they being in Buffalo. It is not necessary to write further suffice to say, I am anxious to do all in my power to assist in disposing of the Patents. There has been a great deal of money been spent on them and it ought to be got out of them and I am certain can. But for what exact sum it is impossible to determine.

¹ Dunn had spent several years trying to sell his machine patents but was largely unsuccessful and he agreed to repay Isaac $600 for money he had been given as an investment in this endeavour. However, it does not appear that he actually lived up to his end of the deal and Isaac and his brother Calvin Brooks considered suing Dunn. See W2609 and links. For more on Dunn and Isaac's business relationship, see W2554a.