PUTNAM FEDERAL INCOME TRUST


                                                   Priority Express Message

(Shareholder name and address)

                        PUTNAM FEDERAL INCOME TRUST
                               Fund ID No. 
              PIN No. #### (will be a 4 digit numeric number)
                             Number of shares

Dear Shareholder:

On behalf of your Fund, Tritech Services as solicitation agent
has previously forwarded to you proxy material relating to the
Meeting of Shareholders of your Fund scheduled to be held on May
5, 1994.  The meeting is growing close and we have not as yet
received your executed proxy so that your shares can be voted at
the meeting.

We need your assistance and that of your fellow shareholders to
help us reduce additional solicitation expenses by providing us
with your voting instructions as soon as possible.  If we do not
receive the votes required, your Fund may have to adjourn the
meeting and incur the expense of additional follow-up mailings.

To ensure your vote will be received in time for the meeting, we
have arranged to have your vote recorded by telephone.  The
voting procedure is simple and described below; it is designed to
authenticate your identity and to confirm that your votes have
been taken in accordance with your instructions.  If these
procedures were subject to successful legal challenges, such
votes would not be counted at the meeting.  The Fund has not
sought to obtain an opinion of counsel on this matter and we are
unaware of any such challenge at this time.  To ensure your vote
is recorded correctly, when your voting instructions are received
the operator will ask for your telephone number in order to call
you back and confirm your vote.  You will also receive in the
mail a confirmation of your vote for your files.  A special toll-
free number will be available in case the information contained
in the confirmation is incorrect.  If you decide after you have
voted that you will attend the meeting in person, you can revoke
your proxy at that time and vote your shares at the meeting.  If
you do not have a copy of your proxy statement, you can call us
at (908) 878-6434 and a copy will be promptly forwarded to you.

Please take a few minutes to vote your shares today.


TELEPHONE VOTING PROCEDURES

1.   Call toll-free at any time, day or night, until 5:00 P.M.
     Eastern Daylight Time, April 29, 1994, to 1-800-866-7234.

2.   Tell the operator that you wish to vote your Putnam proxy.

3.   The operator will ask you for your three digit Fund ID No.
     which is shown above.

4.   Give the operator your four digit PIN No., name, address,
     Social Security No., and the number of shares exactly as
     they appear above.  The operator will read the text of the
     proxy card set forth below and you should tell the operator
     how you wish to vote and that you want to send the entire
     message.

5.   The operator will ask for a phone number where you can be
     reached in order to call you back to confirm your voting
     instructions.

(Text of proxy card)

We appreciate your cooperation and thank you for your support.

                         Sincerely,

                         Tritech Services
                         Solicitation Agent

                     VOTE BY PHONE CONFIRMATION LETTER
                                 (WRITTEN)

                          PROXY VOTE CONFIRMATION

(SHAREHOLDER NAME & ADDRESS)

PUTNAM FEDERAL INCOME TRUST
Meeting of Shareholders May 5, 1994
Account:
Shares:
          Vote Received: 1.   Election of Trustees.
                              (FOR all) (WITHHOLD all) (WITHHOLD
                              for      )      

                         2.   Ratify the selection of Coopers &
                              Lybrand as auditors.
                              (FOR) (AGAINST) (ABSTAIN) 

                         3.   Approve the elimination of the
                              Fund's fundamental investment
                              restriction with respect to
                              investments in investment
                              companies.
                              (FOR) (AGAINST) (ABSTAIN)
          
                         4.   Approve an amendment to the Fund's
                              fundamental investment restriction
                              with respect to investments in
                              restricted securities.
                              (FOR) (AGAINST) (ABSTAIN)
          
                         5.   Approve amendments to the Fund's
                              Agreement and Declaration of Trust
                              to permit the issuance of
                              additional classes of shares.
                              (FOR) (AGAINST) (ABSTAIN)          

Vote confirmed to telephone number:  959-688-0909
 

Dear Shareholder:

In connection with the above referenced Meeting of Shareholders,
this notice will confirm that your shares have been voted as
indicated above in accordance with your telephone instructions. 
Your vote was previously confirmed by phone to the telephone
number listed above.  If any of the information is incorrect,
please call 1-800-995-VOTE (1-800-955-8683) immediately, and in
any event no later than 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, on May
4, 1994.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Very truly yours,

Tritech Services
Solicitation Agent































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