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Dardanelles Nov. 19. 1894. Sir. Yesterday I sent to your address the Levant Herald with the article I furnished on the Discovery of Troy. I now enclose copy of the inscription you found at Troy. The first line is probably the name of the individual to whom honor is given by the senate and people of Ilion. It is but a fragment of an inscription as the unfinished sentence would show and by the portion of a second wreath on the broken end of the marble.
I am making an estimate of
The Honorable A. W. Terrell. Minister of the United States Constantinople
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of my collections of antiquities which I shall send when completed.
The extent of my land on the plateau inside and outside the walls of Troy is about 80 acres. The tax I pay annually is [sign for Turkish lira?] 6371/2 (m[.....] at 19) which at 4 per mille (that is [no new?] tax) would give a value of [sign for Turkish lira?] 159125 or about $6500. This is above the value of cultivable land in general, but I suppose the(?) antiquities contained therein a greater value is set on it. However I would sell this property for £1000/$5000, which is a moderate sum considering the very interesting remains therein discovered and to be discovered. Were I a younger man with the chance of a longer life I would not part with my property,
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but now I would like it to pass to competent hands to do it justice.
I have written to Khalil Bey about the large jar at Troy which the guard keeps his provision of water. I hope he will make no objections to my removing it. You will perhaps have thought me inconsistent when I informed you other(?) Ministers and Ambassadors had paid visit to the local authorities, but this referred to the remote past of which all recollection of ceremonial formalities had long faded away.
Trusting you feel no fatigue from your late excursion believe me Sir
Your obedient Frank Calvert