SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                 PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
                  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934                   
                             (Amendment No. )
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                          Filed by the Registrant                     / X /
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                Filed by a party other than the Registrant            /   /
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Check the appropriate box:
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/   /    Preliminary Proxy Statement                                       
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/   /    Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as
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/   /    Definitive Proxy Statement                                        
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/ X /    Definitive Additional Materials                                   
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/   /    Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or
- ----     Sec. 240.14a-12

                        PUTNAM FEDERAL INCOME TRUST
             (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, 
                         if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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/   /    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a
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         (1) Title of each class of securities to which
         transaction applies:

         (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
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         (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of
         transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
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                                  George Putnam
                                  Chairman of the Trustees
                                  The Putnam Funds
                                  One Post Office Square
                                  Boston, Massachusetts  02109


PUTNAM LOGO

(Date)

Dear Shareholder:

You recently received a proxy statement requesting your vote on
important proposals.  Our records show that we have not received
your completed ballot.  Your vote is important.  Please cast your
ballot.  We have included another copy of the proxy ballot and a
business reply envelope for your convenience.

Putnam Management and the Trustees believe that these proposals
would be in the best interests of shareholders.

In closing, we ask you to consider the proposals carefully. 
Should you have any questions, please consult your financial
advisor or contact a Putnam customer service representative at 1-
800-225-1581.

Sincerely,

/s/George Putnam
George Putnam



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