TALBOT5865

London
Jan^y 29 1847

My Dear Sir

I received three letters ¹ from you on the eve of my departure from Paris, and hasten to reply. With regard to a change in that part of the agreement, ² which related to a division of the profits, it would be utterly impossible to tell what percentage on gross receipts would be equivalent to one third of the profits. It would be impracticable to tell what proportion the expenses would bear to the receipts, and if a percentage in the latter even adopted it might swallow up all and even more than the profits. I should not therefore be willing to make any change on that point.

With regard to the idea contained in your last letter, that in consequence of your retaining an interest in the profits, we ³ would not be able to sell the patent or any part of it. I would remark that my idea was always precisely the reverse. Our only object in purchasing the patent would be to be perfectly unfettered, and I conceived that under our understanding we would be perfectly at liberty to sell any part or the whole as we might conceive most conducive to our interests.

I remain in London until Monday, when I shall return to Reading. ⁴ Hoping to hear from you farther at that place,

I remain With sincere respect Your Ob^t Serv^t
E. Anthony

H. Fox Talbot Esq.