486 MEMOIR OF DAXIEL TKEADWELL. 



pupils a clear idea of what you have done in this hranch of mamifactnre, I should like to 

 obtain ^vour account of the luanufactui'e of the first guns made on your plans, as published by 

 you in 1845. This pamphlet I have never seen, and know of no other way to obtain it than 

 to address you on tlie subject. 



In a matter of military history of this kind, 1 desire to be able to give all the facts, and 

 give credit where it is due. Any information you can give me as to how I can obtain this 

 paper, I shall be much obliged for. 



1 remain, with much respect, your obedient servant, 



Geo. F. Balch, Capt. Ordnance Corps U. S. A. 



To Professor Daniel Treadwell. 



West Point, \. Y., January 28, 1865. 



Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 2.')th reached me yesterday, but I have delayed a reply until 

 I could at the same time acknowledge the receipt of the package by express, which came to 

 hand to-day. 



For your kindness in thus complying with my wishes, please accept my thanks, and in 

 return I shall make it a duty to see that the graduates of this Academy who have been under 

 my tuition clearly understand what is due to your labors in developing new ideas on the 

 subject of heavy ordnance, and how much you have been in advance of our English contempo- 

 raries in this matter. 



The Ordnance Department is at present wedded to cast iron, and in Rodman's method of 

 casting seems to see a solution of all difficulties; but experience dearly bought is the best 

 teacher, and sooner or later the cast iron must go to the wall. 



With many thanks for your invitation, of which I shall be happy to avail myself should I 

 at any time visit Cambridge, 1 remain, with much respect, your obedient servant, 



George F. Balch. 



The following letters to old friends were written about this time. 



To Phi.neas Dow, Esq. 



Cashskidge, February 5, 18G5. 



My old Friend, — I received, with great pleasure, a letter from you several months ago, 

 which, having nothing particular to write to you, I have hitherto omitted to answer. It gave me 

 much satisfaction to know, under your own hand, that you were then in good health and still 

 able to attend to the old occupation, and I sincerely trust that this state of comfortable old age 

 has been continued to you. For myself, I have been and am in as good health as has been my 

 usual lot for many years, and as my means are enough to supply all my wants, I have nothing 

 to prevent a fair shai-e of enjoyment in life. As I have no child to come after me, I am at 

 least without particular anxiety for any that I may leave, except indeed my wife, who can have 

 no very long future after I am gone. It has been her good fortune to improve in healtli as 

 her age has advanced, so that she is stronger now than she was twenty years ago. I give much 

 time to i-eading, and yet amuse myself with inventing. My lawsuit with Mr. Parrott has given 

 me much labor and cost for the last three years. The testimony in this is now all taken, and 

 I shall, in all probability, obtain a trial in the coming March or April. My case seems to me 

 and to my lawyers a very strong one, but we cannot foresee the quirks of the law nor the 



