A fac-simile of the letter[2] which he addressed to the English iron
masters a short time after his arrival in London is preserved in the
United States National Museum. It contains a cross section, side
elevation and ground plan of the rail for which he requested bids.
The base of the rail which he first proposed was to be wider where it
was to be attached to the supports than in the intervening spaces.
This was afterward modified, so that the base was made the same width
(three inches) throughout.
[Footnote 2: This letter reads:
LIVERPOOL, November 26th, 1830.
GENTLEMEN,--At what rate will you contract to deliver at
Liverpool, say from 500 to 600 tons of railway, of the best
quality of iron rolled to the above pattern in 12 or 16 feet
lengths, to lap as shown in the drawing, with one hole at each
end, and the projections on the lower flange at every two
feet, cash on delivery?
How soon could you make the first delivery, and at what rate
per month until the whole is complete? Should the terms suit
and the work give satisfaction a more extended order is likely
to follow, as this is but about one-sixth part of the quantity
required.
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