I.B. McQuesten Esq
Hamilton Ont.

Dear Sir

Yours of the 4th inst. is to hand, The interpretation of my proposition is correct and satisfactory; I mentioned $350 as what might be necessary or perhaps $400 and I to pay it back in 2, 3,and 4 months,¹ If not paid according to agreement I [am] to relinquish all claims or I would prefer the 6 months to recoup the outlay. This money I should expend in the business and [??] [??] necessary expense. I am willing and anxious to devote my time to bring the business to a successful completion. In a word I am perfectly satisfied to leave the adjustment to yourself. And I do not expect or want any commission for conducting the business If I am punished with the absolutely necessary funds to accomplish the object, As stated before I consider the business in a better state to negotiate than ever before and am in a better place to do do it. Of course I am losing valuable time but have been bringing the Boiler Feeder to a more pefect state with the view of putting on a Boiler Feeder in January. Certain water here does not scale²--And I have also been getting out a lengthy and descriptive circular. If you can entertain the proposition it would facilitate matters greatly. If you could send me by Telegraph a $100 or $150 and the rest at your earliest convenience. As to carry out this business. I have an abundance to do to make up for lost time. That Telegram is a mistake as I did not leave Buffalo until the latter part of January. I am surprised as I took a P.O.Box and left instructions to have letters forwarded. I write tonight to have them sent on. Excuse this scrawl as I write in a hurry to catch the mail. Will write more fully as to the course I would propose from serving with respect to selling the Patents.

¹ Dunn had agreed that he would try to pay Isaac back for $600 loaned to him while he worked at patenting, manufacturing and selling train car couplers and other devices (W2628). Unfortunately, after several years Dunn had managed to earn very little from his efforts and Isaac and Calvin Brooks both became impatient with his failures. They considered suing to retrieve the materials and monies owed, but it is not entirely clear whether or not they did so. See W2609, W2648, W2643, W1726, W2683, W1734, W1745, W1749 for more on this agreement and the lawsuit. See W2554a for a more comprehensive look at the McQuestens' business with Dunn.

² In W2573, Dunn mentions a patent for a boiler feeder and vaguely discusses problems that might arise as the result of impurities in the water.