Zenas Fisk Wilber

“ I am perfectly sober and a conscious master of myself, mentally and physically. This affidavit is, consequently, the outcome of a changed mode of life and a desire on my part to aid in righting a great wrong done to an innocent man. I am convinced that, by my action while Examiner of Patents, Elisha Gray was deprived of proper opportunity to establish his right to the invention of the telephone, and I now propose to tell how it was done.
The attorneys for Prof. Bell in the matter of the application which became patent No. ”

“ In order that parties may be vindicated and injustice rectified. I have concluded to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It will be Impossible for the courts of the country to mete out exact justice without a knowledge of the Influences brought to bear upon me while examiner In the Patent Office, In 1875,1876 and 1877, which caused me to show Prof. Bell Elisha Gray's caveat, then under my charge and control, as by law provided, and which caused mo to favor Bell, in various ways, In acting on several applications for patents by him made. ”

“ I allowed him to become acquainted with both facts—telling him personally the same, so that he immediately Knew the ex¬act facts upon which to bade the protest be subsequently filed against such suspension, and which was referred by me to the Commissioner. in person, for instructions. ”

“ Several cases are hero cited in proof of this assertion and the affidavit Continues as follows: Such rapid progress from application to patents are exceptional and few such instances. if any, can be found outside, of Bell's cases. ”