（原文）
CHINA BUREAU
THE NEW YORK HERALD
RUSSO-ASIATIC BANK BUILDING.
LEGATION STREET.
PEKING.
February 14， 1912.
YOUR EXCELLENCY：
I trust your democratic spirit will not lead you to object to the title as here written.If I were writing to my friend The President of my own country， “My President” would do; but in the country of my adoption a more formal title is， I think， more appropriate—even in a personal letter to one whom I count， and proudly， in the list of my friends.
This is written to set forth a personal request.Not for office， either for myself or others， but for something I would rather have than any office.It is—
A good photograph of yourself.I would very much appreciate your sending me one to hang beside the autographed photograph of President Taft which hangs on my library wall.Once upon a time， down in Singapore， you were good enough to present me with a photograph of yourself but that was sent to New York for use in THE HERALD and I have never gotten it back.
So you see I need one for my own， to hang in my gallery of celebrities.And I would like to have you put your autograph across the front.
You must realize with what keen interest I have followed every development of this truly remarkable political upheaval.You and your associates have accomplished marvelous things， but of course from the standpoint of the country's good， the work has been begun—that is all.You have made the opportunity for better things.You have busted “The System”， but there remains the great task of reconstruction.Much， perhaps everything， will depend upon the work to be done by your Constitution makers—at least the fate of the republican form of government is in their hands.I would like to see that a success， for I am a profound believer in government being built up from the bottom， not coming down from the top.However， the one great essential is good government， and that can be obtained under any form.You have scraped the barnacles off the bottom of the old Ship of State.That is an excellent beginning.I have much faith that the common sense of the great Chinese People will see that she is put in proper hands， to ensure her having a safe voyage into the harbor called Peace and Prosperity.
With most cordial personal regards.
I am Yours Very Sincerely，
J.K.Ohl
H.E.SUN YAT-SEN，President，Nanking.
（译文）
1912年2月14日
阁下：
我相信您的民主精神使您不会反对我这样称呼您。如果我是给我自己国家的总统朋友写信，我称“我的总统”就行了。但我认为，在我移居的国家，更合适使用更正规的称呼，即使是一封私人信函。很荣幸在我的朋友名单中有您。
我写这信是想提点个人的请求，不是为自己或他人要职位，而是我认为比任何官职更重要的东西。这就是：
一张您本人的好照片。我将很感激您给我邮张照片，我会把它挂在书房墙上，挂在塔夫脱总统的亲笔签名照旁边。以前在新加坡，您好意送给我一张您的照片，但因要在纽约《先驱报》上使用，我寄给了报社，没能要回来。
所以，请您理解我需要一张您的照片，用来挂在我的名人廊里。请求您在照片正面签字。
您一定意识到我对这个非凡政治变革中的每一举措有强烈的兴趣。你和同伴们一起取得了惊人的成就。固然从国家利益的角度看，事业仅仅起步，不过如此。你们已摧毁了旧体制，但摆在面前的重建任务依然艰巨。诸多事情，也许是一切事情都取决于制宪事业。至少，共和政府的命运掌握在制宪者手中。我期望看到制宪会确保政府走向成功。因为我深信，政府是自下而上，而非自上而下建立起来的。固然，最根本的是要有好的政府，但可以任何形式组织。你们已铲除了旧国家航船底部的甲壳，这是最好的开端。我坚信，伟大的中国人民将凭自己的良知，选择适当的掌舵人，以保证航船顺利驶向和平繁荣的港湾。
顺致以最衷心的祝愿!
J.K.奥尔 谨上
致总统孙逸仙先生，南京。