I embrace this opportunity by Govr. Franklin, to indulge myself the honour to send you a manuscript copy of my two aerial Voyages, which I hope you will do me the honour to accept; Together with my very sincere acknowledgments for the condescending attention you were pleased to favour me with, while at Paris.

I should, much earlier, have indulged my wishes in sending it to you, but have been prevented by Sir Joseph Banks, detaining the original copy in his hands, upwards two Months past; after having promised me that they should be read to the Society before their summer vacation; which, however, has since been postponed. Altho Sir Joseph still promises me, that they shall be read soon after they meet again, which is to be the tenth of Novr: for which reason I hope you will excuse me, when I request that you will not suffer any copy to be printed; as that circumstance, would prevent the reading to the Society, which after having been thus engaged to me, I wish may eventually take place. You will otherways shew this, or suffer manuscript copies to whom you may judge proper.

If it could, in any degree be convenient to you, Sir, I shall esteem it a great honour to be favoured with your observations and opinion.

I do not pretend more, than to assure you, that you may rely on the circumstances mentioned to be the real facts, both as to time, and manner in which they occurred.

I am very sorry to be obliged to inform you that (unfortunately for me) I have here met with every thing the reverse of what Monsr. Blanchard has been honoured with in france.

Permit me, Sir, to present my best wishes for your health and prosperous voyage to that Quarter of the World, who owe to you their present state of Existence and for whom you have been so watchful and successful a guardian.

However much the Idea of Aerial Navigation may at the present, be discountenanced here, I shall esteem it the first honour of my life, since it has afforded me that of personally paying you my respects; and claiming the priviledge to be among your respectful friends. I have the honour to be, my venerable Sir, your gratefully oblidged and obedient humble Servant