Compelled from the first, from my want of the means to carry out the invention to a practical result, to ask assistance from those who had means, I associated with me the Messrs.
Vail and Dr.Gale, by making over to them, on certain conditions, a portion of the patent right.

These means enabled me to carry it successfully forward to a certain point.

At this point you were also admitted into a share of the patent on certain conditions, which carried the enterprise forward successfully still further.

Since then disappointments have occurred and disasters to the property of every one concerned in the enterprise, but of a character not touching the intrinsic merits of the invention in the least, yet bearing on its progress so fatally as for several years to paralyze all attempts to proceed.
"The depressed situation of all my associates in the invention has thrown the whole burden of again attempting a movement entirely on me.

With the trifling sum of five hundred dollars I could have had my instruments perfected and before Congress six months ago, but I was unable to run the risk, and I therefore chose to go forward more slowly, but at a great waste of time.
"In all these remarks understand me as not throwing the least blame on any individual.