hamilton tow has the same idea. $500,000 to destroy the merrimac. he apparently sees wells personally and wells turns him down later. a few days later, i writes in, how about $10,000 now and $100,000 when i blow up the merrimac. he cut his price. the navy officers were none too amused by these private contractors wanting to do what they couldn't. louie goldsboro writes to his friend, gus davis fox saying, what is become of the $100,000 blowing-up man. has his scheme collapsed or is the water too cold? secret inventions are proposed. there are people that write in and say, my invention is so unbelievable, i can't tell you what it is. i can give you a rough outline but i really can't tell you everything. although, it can whip anything afloat. they also insist that i will tell my idea to the president alone. the secretary of war, maybe navy. louie winter bauer writes in and the navy writes back saying, thank you for suggesting your idea. however, we can not judge it because you gave us no particulars. everyone wants to get in on the act. lincoln gets a

hamilton tow, also has the the same idea. he says $500,000 to destroy the merrimac. he sees wells personally and wells turns him down. a few days later he writes in. and says how about $10,000 now and $100,000 when i blow up the merrimac. he cut his price. oh, and of course the navy officers were none too amused by the private contractors wanting to do what they couldn't. louie goldsborough writes to his friend, gustavus fox saying, what has become of the $100,000 blowing up man? has his scheme collapsed or is the water too cold? secret inventions are also proposed. people write in saying my invention is so unbelievable, i can't tell you what it is. i can give you a rough outline. but i really can't tell you, everything, although it can whip anything afloat. and they also insist that i will tell my idea to the president alone. or -- if the president is not available -- the secretary of war. maybe navy. and in fact, louie winterbower writes in with an idea, the navy does write back, saying thank you for suggesting your idea. however, we cannot judge it because you gav