Still ignorant of the Fate of my several Letters to Your Excellency written in the Year 1778, and lately, on the 2d. of Octr. conveyed by Monsr. Lieutaud, a french Man of Letters, who had visited this Capital; and not conscious of ever having forfeited the Honor of your invaluable Esteem, and antient Friendship: I still attribute your Silence rather to the daily increasing Extent and Weight of your exalted and important public Functions, than to any other Impediment or Cause whatever.

The Occasion of this Letter is furnished me by a very ingenious Gentleman Mr. Kampl, Counsellor of his Imperial Majesty’s Finances, for the Kingdom of Hungaria, who on a Furlow obtained for two Years is ready to set out for Paris, Brusselles, Holland, and England, attended with his whole Family, his Lady, 2. Sons, and 2 Daughters; not only to satisfy his own Curiosity, But also, in great Measure, that of the Public Indowed with a peculiar Taste and Genius for mechanical Inventions and Improvements of which he sees no Manner of Encouragement in these Parts, he means to impart several of his most important Discoveries and Experiments, wherever they shall be best recieved and rewarded. As an amusing specimen of his skill in Mechaniks; and, as a Means at the same Time of supporting his travelling Charges, he intends to exhibit the Figure of a Turk, as big as Life, playing at Chess with any Player; and answering by pointing at the Letters of an alphabet, any Questions made to him. I saw him play twice, without discovering his intelligent Director any where in or about him. Was there nothing but the organisation of his arm, Hand, and Fingers, besides the Motions of his Head that alone would entitle him to no small admiration.

Besides his Chess Player, he amuses himself with forming a Child of 4. or 5. Years of Age, uttering the first articulated sounds of Elocution. Of these, I have heared him pronounce distinctly upwards of 30. Words, and Phrases. There remain but 5. or 6. Letters of the alphabet to express which he proposes to compleate at Paris.

Apprised of your eminent Merit, in this, as well as many other Branches of usefull Knowledge, Mr. Kampl is very desirous of the Honor of your acquaintance. And as I presume the Same Satisfaction on the Part of Your Excellency, I esteem myself happy, in being instrumental to your mutual personal Aquaintance and Regard.

I wish Your Excellency Joy on the final success of your own and Your Fellow-Laborers glorious struggle for the Liberties of your own Country now the peaceable asylum of oppressed Industry.

Stript of my All, persecuted and demolished by those I have faithfully and liberally served? deprived of House and home, without Emp? unprotected, and unsupported: how happy ? I esteem myself could those few abilities have endeavored to aquire and to treasure ? in the Course of an active as well as studious Life, render me subservient to the Introduction and Increase of the arts of Peace under your philanthropic American Government. This, your Excellency knows, has long been my fondest Wish. Nor have I been wanting in offering? several Means, within the small sphere of my Power to several of your Patriots who knows ? your consolidated Independance and Peace may prove favorable to my Zeal and Suggest Your Excellency, ? Your Friends some Opportunity of saving and employing. Your Excellency’s old Admiring and suffering Friend