I have the Honor to inclose to you under the Care of Mr. Shippen a Letter from your Friend Mr. West in London. to whose patronage and Instructions I have the highest Obligations.
As to you I owe my introduction to him, with all the consequent advantages. you will permit me to return you my grateful acknowledgements: and as no man in America knows better what degree of estimation my art is worthy of: nor any one is more honorably instructed than you in the application I mean to make of my humble talents: I must beg leave still to consider you as my patron.
I have begun a series of pictures of the great Events of the Revolution: the prosecution of that plan brings me to America: I hope by confining my pencil to subjects so interesting to Human Nature that I shall not only meet the approbation of my Country, but. (thro the intervention of Prints.) that I may Render some distant service to Posterity.
Having this Object in view: I know that my intentions will secure me your protection however inadequate my talents may prove to their worthy execution.
Wishing you Health: and in the Hope of having the Honor of paying my personal Respects to you in a few Weeks I am sir Your most grateful servant