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The letter from Leonardo da Vinci is undated but from before 1512. It is addressed to the Ottoman sultan Bayezid II about his possible contribution to a range of proposed engineering works in Istanbul. The letter is taken from C. Pedretti, The Literary Works of Leonardo da Vinci, vol. 1, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1977, pp. 212–14.

I, your servant, having thought for some time about the matter of the mill, with the help of God, have found a solution, so that, with an artifice, I will build a mill which works without water, but only by the wind in a way that it will take less than a mill at sea; and not only would it be more convenient to the people, but it would also be suitable to any place.

Furthermore, God (may he be exalted!) has granted me to find a way of extracting the water from ships without ropes or cables, but with a self‐operating hydraulic machine.

I, your servant, have heard about your intention to build a bridge from Istanbul to Galatea, and that you have not done it because no man can be found who would be able to plan it. I, your servant, know how. I would raise it to the height of a building, so that, on account of its height, no one will be allowed to go through it. But I have thought of making an obstruction so as to make it possible to drive piles after having removed the water. I would make it possible that a ship may pass underneath it even with its sails up. I would have a drawbridge so that, when one wishes, one can pass on to the Anatolia coast. However, since water moves through continuously, the banks may be consumed. Thus I may find a system of guiding the flow of the water, and keep it at the bottom so as not to affect the banks. The sultans, your successors, will be able to do it at little expense. May God make you believe these words and may you consider this servant of yours always at your service.