TALBOT7064

N. S. Maskelyne Esq

Ath^m Club ¹
Nov. 23^d

D^r Sir

This cause ² will come on for trial about the 9^th December ³ or a few days later as it may happen. My solicitor ⁴ is now actively Engaged in taking down the Evidence of witnesses for the instruction of Counsel, & he is very desirous of knowing the particulars of the evidence with which You will favor me ⁵. Had you been in Town I would have proposed to you to call upon him in company with me, but I am unwilling to give you the trouble of coming up to Town twice on this matter, and therefore I have suggested to him that it will be sufficient if I send to you the notes which I made last Summer, asking you, if they are incorrect, to correct them, and add anything further that you please. I am desirous of showing to the Court that it is the general opinion of men of science that I am the true inventor of the Calotype, and that it was not the invention of Daguerre ⁶ or any other person – These things may appear unnecessary but the adverse Counsel intend to make such statements as the above, and a credulous jury knowing nothing of the Subject, will believe them unless rebutted by the testimony of some scientific men of Eminence. Anything therefore that you choose to add respecting the novelty of the invention, its utility &c. &c. will be of much service to us.

Believe me Yours Truly
H. F. Talbot

The notes are Enclosed⁷ – they are mere heads of Evidence roughly noted down after a conversation with you last Summer.
Please to return the M.S.