Give me leave to express my thanks to you as President in particular, and to all the Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Members in general for the honour conferred on me by electing me a Member of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia. As a small token of my gratitude I send hereby a Catalogue of 1000 new Nebulae and Clusters of Stars; and at the same time communicate to the Society that on the 11th of January 1787 I discovered two Satellites revolving round the Georgian Planet; the 1st in about 8-¾ days and the second in about 12½. The times of the revolution and other circumstances concerning the Orbits of these satellites will be determined with greater accuracy hereafter. I detected them in consequence of an improvement [in] my 20 feet reflector whereby I have gained much light. An account of this improvement is mentioned in a note at the end of the catalogue of Nebulae (See, Front-View.)

The acquaintance Sir, I have long had with your literary Character, makes me seize this opportunity with pleasure of expressing my esteem for you, and of begging at the same time that you will render my respects acceptable to all the Members of the Society. I have the honnour to be Sir, your most obedient humble Servant