"...a fort or part of one, showing your most modern improved system of construction, application of materials, interior arrangements for the convenience and efficiency of the service, etc., in short, a good understanding of the progress in the service and art of military engineering that your countrymen are so likely to have produced at this eventful period of the general introduction of rifle guns, armour plating, etc."

"After all, though we are bound to respect the desires of those whom we visit, you and I, General, know very well that for any sinister object we might have, we can obtain all that is most important by cursory view as ordinary passers by, and by open ordinary conversation; and on that principle, as well as for the duty of being courteous to strangers, I have myself constantly advocated the opening of all our sources of military engineering to all the world."

"Your object will be to study rather general systems and principles such as are usually considered open to the world, and in which nations take a pride in offering their improvements to other; and to avoid prying into any details in which the authorities desire to maintain any degree of mystery or reserve. You will make all the authorities fully acquainted with your course of proceedings and researches, courting from them all details and particulars that you desire, but dropping at once, and bona fide, any to which they shall offer objection; that is as far as distinct researches are concerned, for of course you are not to shut your eyes to what passes under ordinary observation. You will be able to show by a free offer of communicating to the officers of the United States Army all the information regarding the practices of our service, which we so unreservedly willing to afford to foreigners, your reasons for not considering the extent of you inquiries unreasonable."2