Yesterday I arrived in Hartford after a Lecturing tour thro’ the eastern States, in which my success has equalled my expectations.

The time is expired, that I proposed for my journey to Philadelphia; and altho’ I am determined not to be disappointed, by common accidents, yet I labor under some embarrassments which I take the liberty to mention to your Excellency. The profits on the sale of my books which amount now to about £100 per annum are all appropriated to reimburse the expenses I have incurred in prosecuting my designs; so that I cannot with propriety expect any assistance from them for the coming year. My Lectures which have supported me hitherto are closed and I have nothing to depend on for subsistence this year, but my further exertions in some business. I can hardly bear my expenses to Philada, much less can I support myself there without some business which is not ascertained.

Possibly a subscription may be obtained for a repetition of my Lectures in Philada. I have thought of instituting an oratorical academy in that City or New York or to open public reading after the plan of Mr. Sheridan in London. I was asked when in Philada by President Ewing, whether I would accept the professorship of Oratory in the University. This I could not do then and I do not know whether I should now be willing. I know not the emoluments of it nor indeed the business. If it requires the attention of a man, like a school, as I suspect from a little acquaintance with Mr. Gamble the late professor, I should not, I could not take it. If the consists in reading Lectures at stated times or in hearing the lessons of a class, as the instructors practise in New Haven or Cambridge, it is probable I should be glad of the place.

I shall wait here a few days for your Excellency’s answer, if an answer will not be too great a trouble; for in my present situation I know not how to act.

I wish for business, it is my life, my pleasure as well as my support. But I began a vast design without a shilling, and I know the world too well to ask pecuniary assistance from any person. I want none I will take none, but what I earn. I wish, if possible to have business, which will afford me some liesure for my Lectures must be prepared for the press as soon as possible, and my Institute stands in need of improvement.

If your Excellency can furnish me with any prospects, in either of the ways mentioned, or in any other, it would be a satisfaction to me and enable me to make some arrangements here as will be necessary, if I leave the State. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your Excellency’s most obliged and very humble Servant