All your requests ever have, and ever shall have with me, the force of commands. The Address to your Excellency was composed before I knew the Society was to be honoured with your presence on Monday evening. Upon my being informed of this, I waited upon my friend Mr. Rittenhouse upon whose excellent judgement I could depend more than upon my own, and read to him the conclusion of the Oration, and at the same time asked him, if he thought there would be any impropriety in delivering it in your presence. He answered “by no means,” and his last words to me were “not to suffer any person to persuade me to Alter one word of it.”

With the greatest respect, with the most unalterable Attachment, and affection, I have the honor to be honoured and Dear Sir your ever grateful friend and humble Servant