Although an unhappy misunderstanding arose respecting the types I purchased from you, a misunderstanding, which, were it possible, I would wish recalled; but as that cannot be, I hope it may be buried in utter oblivion, yet, supposing you actuated by a more enlarged and liberal spirit, than to suffer resentment long to remain on your mind, I take the liberty of requesting a favour, which, if granted, will not only serve me in a most essential manner, but bind me by the strongest ties of gratitude.

With uncommon exertions, and the most indefatigable application, I have carried on the Museum for nearly a year and ahalf, and considering how incredibly small my capital was, at the commencement, my success has been uncommon yet not so great, as, under particular circumstances, I might have expected, and would probably have met with. I have now a plan in agitation, which, with your concurrence, and that of a few other respectable characters, will, in all likelihood, insure me that reward to which honest industry, in a good cause, has so just and undeniable a claim.

This leads me to the object of the present application. The favour I so earnestly request, is, to subscribe such a declaration or recommendation of the American Museum, as its merits may entitle it to; a form of which I subjoin, for your perusal.

“We, the subscribers, having carefully examined the tendency and purpose of the American Museum, published by Mathew Carey, of Philadelphia, are of opinion, that it is a very useful work, calculated to disseminate agricultural, political, and other valuable information, in a degree and manner hardly attainable without a publication of that kind, and more especially to preserve various interesting documents from oblivion. We therefore chearfully recommend it to the countenance and patronage of the public in general.”

Perhaps this character of the work is too pangyrical. It is, however, that which I have had from numbers of the most impartial, intelligent, and well-informed gentelmen. But at all events, I am not scrupulously attached to the manner of expression.

I hope and trust there is no necessity to make use of many a rguments on this occasion. I have read a declaration of yours, that our own experience of the difficulties attendant on beginners, always strongly inclined you in favour of those in that situation. True, I am not, strictly speaking, a beginner, but every inducement in favour of that description, exists with me.

Your conpliance with this request, will be regarded as a most important obligation, by your excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant