威廉姆·格雷斯(William I.Gracey)致孙中山函 (1912年1月10日)

(原文)

American Consulate,Nanking, China, January 10, 1912.

Dr.Sun Yat-sen,Nanking.

Dear Sir:

I understand that you are contemplating the purchase of a high powered motor car for use here, and as I am about to dispose of my machine I beg to inform you that it is available.I purchased the car when in America in August last, brought it to China in November and it is now in Shanghai where my wife has been using it.I believe it is the largest and highest powered motor car in this country, being a 45 horse power Rambler with seating capacity for seven persons.I am sending you herewith a catalogue which fully describes the car.It cost new with the extra attachments of a Cabriol horn, trunk rack, Every ready clock and speedometer, extra spare wheel with tire complete, etc.$3200 gold in America, the cost of bringing it to China etc.not included.It has been run about 4000 miles.As my wife is returning to America I am planning to purchase a smaller car for my own use and do not care to keep this one.It can be seen at any time at the Shanghai Motor House an Avenue Road in Shanghai, or if you are interested in it I can have it brought to Nanking for your inspection.

If we can arrange a sale direct without any middlemen to have commissions I can, of course, give you a better price than would otherwise be possible, and for a quick sale will accept Tls 4000.

A picture of the car will be seen on page six of catalogue, the same car with top up is shown on page twenty, and with side curtains attached on page thirty, a description of the car will also be found on page thirty four.

This car is, so far as I know, the finest car of its kind in China, and has several special features such as aluminum floor, all metal body, adjustable steering pillar, strong brakes, all nuts locked, safety cranking device, offset crankshaft, double ignition system, starting from the seat by sparking without cranking when the machine has been running, electric side and tail lamps, and gas front lights, brass bound adjustable wind shield, all guards baked enamel instead of paint, and spare wheel which can be attached in a few moments in case of a punctured tire.

Kindly let me have the catalogue back after perusal.

If you are interested in a high priced car, or if any of your friends are contemplating purchasing, I do not think you could get a greater bargain than this machine at the price for which I offer it.

Trusting to hear from you reading the matter.

Yours sincerely,

William I.Gracey

(译文)

美国领事馆,中国南京,1912年1月10日

致孙逸仙博士,南京。

尊敬的先生:

听说您正在考虑购买一台高性能的汽车作为代步工具,恰好我也正在打算处理我的车子。那辆车是我去年8月在美国买的。10月份的时候把它带到中国,目前在上海我妻子那里。我相信目前它是这个国家最高级的动力汽车,拥有45马力的发动机,可同时乘载7个人。我寄给您一份完整描述该车性能的说明书。它是新买的,附件有一个敞篷喇叭、行李架、现成的时钟和车速计、额外的备用轮胎等。车在美国的价格是3200美元,这还不包括带到中国来的运输成本。它已行驶了约4000英里。我妻子将要返回美国,而我计划购买一辆较小的车来用,所以不想再留下这台车。您可任何时候在号称汽车之家的上海的任何一条道路上试驾。当然如果您对它有兴趣,我也可以将它带来南京给您检视。

当然如果我们不经过中介而直接交易的话,我会给您一个比其他人更满意的价格。快速交易4000两就行。

说明书的第6页上可以看到这辆车的正面照,它的俯视照片在说明书第20页,侧视照片在说明书第30页,而关于车子的细致描述则在第34页。

据我所知,这辆车是中国这类车里最好的。它具有以下几个特征:例如铝合金地板,全金属机身,可调转向柱,强力刹车,全螺母锁扣,安全起动装置,曲轴偏移,双点火系统,从坐上未起动时机器已经运行,电侧灯和电尾灯、前气灯,黄铜可调风罩,全手工烤瓷代替涂料,万一轮胎穿孔,备胎可在很短的时间内安装成功。

阅读完毕后请将说明书寄回。

如果您对高价车感兴趣,或者您的任何一个朋友考虑购买,我认为同款车您无法得到比我更低的价格。

期待您的回信。

威廉姆·格雷斯 谨上