M.A.Hauschild,C.E.
FLORENCE IRON RIVER COMPANY .
FLORENCE, WIS. March 23.03.
Theodore Cooper Esq.
M.Am.Soc.C.E. New York City.
I have read with much pleasure your paper on "American Railroad Bridges",which,in my study of early iron bridges built in America,was of great value to me.
As it is my intention to publish a similar treatise on early european iron bridges,I am particularly interested in a few early american structures,which I would like to compare with the former. I will at that opportunity refer to your valuable paper.
I know by own experience,how difficult it is to get historical facts about that branch of science,and though I looked through a good many publications at the library of the Am.Soc.C.E.,to which I was introduced by Mr,Lindenthal,Bridge Commissioner of New York, the booty was very scarce.
Would it be asking too much of you to let me know of some publication about a few points,which you touch in your paper ? 
1)Which	is the title of the memoir of Thomas Paine(1803),where he describes his bridge model and where might I get it or get a look at it ?
2)Which	"Wearmouth bridge" was copied after Paine's model,and do you know of any publication on that bridge ?
3 )For which projects did Long and Town (1830)want to use iron ?
4)Is	there any publication about Earl Trumbull's truss bridge at Frankfort (1840) ?
5)Which	was Squire Whipple's first bridge and does any description exist about that structure ?
6)Do	you know of other publications giving historical facts about early iron bridges in America ?
I sincerely hope,that you will kindly excuse my presumption of asking for the above information and taking part of your pre -cious time and I trust,that in consideration of the good end,you will find a minute to answer the few questions.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness I am
Most respectfully Yours
Manfred A. Hauschild