I have the honour of enclosing to you several memoirs which about two years ago were read to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. You will observe they originated from a review of Letters and Papers that had passed between us on philosophical subjects: and that they contain some observations on a paragraph or two of your printed Letters. I should need to apologize for this liberty, did I not know your liberality of sentiment, and that you would wish the improvement of Science, whether the principles,from which it resulted, coincided, or not with your own.

Those memoirs will make a part of a volume now printing here under the direction of the Academy. It will be completed in a few months: when I shall transmit a copy to your Excellency unless I should have, which I earnestly hope for, an opportunity of presenting it personally. That hope is grounded on reports of your intention to embark soon for America. Wishing you every happiness, and that I shall soon have the pleasure of taking you by the hand, I am, my dear friend, with the most affectionate regard, in which Mrs. Bowdoin desires to join with me, Your most obedient humble Servant.