1899- Journey to Mars

November 1, 1897

John Carter

Stovall, Virginia

United States

Dear Mr. Carter,

Your special services are needed in Ceylon immediately. It is my understanding that the usual rate shall apply. I have enclosed a letter of credit in your name to any bank on Earth in the amount of 10,000 U.S. Dollars.

Please depart immediately for the Tamil province. Upon your arrival you will proceed to the village of Mavelitural upon the Palk Strait in the northern province. It is an island, and therefore you will need to arrange transport from Ceylon.

Engage a room at any of the town’s regal hostelry. You will be contacted there.

Affectionately,

Sawai Madho Singh II

Maharajah of Jaipur

Jaipur, India

Telegram in coded shifting cypher intercepted by the U.S. Secret Service

Dated January 15, 1898

XJDF DITF NDIE BNND EIWO NADN

BDEI AZIE OPEY TRNQ ANWT QUEB

RUWX ZIIV APPU QZAI UNMW QIRR

IE

Direct translation:

loca tion ofar cadi akno wnby

avan ishr athm andu mave litu

ralt amil ceyl onin stru ctio

ns

Translation:

Location of Arcadia known by

Avinash Rathmandu, Mavelitural,

Tamil, Ceylon. Instructions?

Letter from President William McKinley to Pat Garrett

December 20, 1898

Mr. Pat Garrett