I was informed lately by a Gentleman from Philadelphia, that duiring the American Contest the reflecting Teliscope I made for your Honour in 1769, was removed at a considerable distance into the back parts of that Province, and again replaced in its former situation. But as it may have received considerable damage in consequence of that removeal, I take this opportunity of Offering to repair it sufficiently, and in order to make it more compleat. I shall add to it a Narstonian, and Carvagrain, and construct it in such a manner that any two persons may look through it at the same time, without the parties interfering in the smallest degree with each other, and the object viewed at, may be seen equally distinct by both. I can add a reflecting Teliscope in place of the common Eye piece, by which the Image is not only more distinct, but very much magnified. I have a Patent for adding these Improvements to the Teliscope, and there never was one made in Europe so constructed but by myself, or in consequence of my Invention.

If your Honour inclines to have your Teliscope repaired and these improvements added to it, please send it to any of your Correspondants at London, or Glasgow, with orders to transmit the same to me, which shall be finished with all convenient speed and returned immediately to them, in order that it may be forwarded to you by the same Ship that brought it, or by the first Ship that may be ready from either of those Ports, for Philadelphia. There is no occation for sending the Apparatus, I only want the Box with the great Tube, and the great Speculum, the two Eye pieces, and the two small Speculums.

The above improvements, and every necessary reparation that may be wanting to compleat your Honours Telescope, shall not be attended with any pecuniary expence whatever. And in return I have only to beg the favour of your Honour, to procure me a distinct and authenticated account of the Number, and situation of my Brothers family remaining in America. Of those who are Alive, whither they are married, and have any Children, and where they at present reside with their families. And of those who are dead, at what time they died, and at what place, and if they were married, and left any Children behind them that are still living.

I am now an Old Man and should be glad to correspond with them before I die, and as the situation of my Sister in Laws and some of the Children, and particularly those having families may not be the most independant, owing to the unavoidable misfortunes incident to human life, but more particularly from the distresses they may have undergone duiring the period of the American War, and as a few Hundred pounds to each of them may not only relieve them at present, but that Sum Joined to their own Industry, may place them in a comfortable situation, and be the means of rendering them independant duiring the remainder of their lives. It would give me great pleasure to have an Opportunity of rendering them every comfort and accomodation in my power, and to correspond with any of them that are still alive, and to settle my Affairs in a proper manner respecting them, before I depart the life and ’Am no more.

The high Rank that your Honour holds in America, your general knowledge of the Country, and your universal correspondance, Is not only capable of procuring the most immediate, but the best authenticated information of the present situation of my Brothers Wife if alive, and of my Nephews and Nieces who are still living, with the number of their families, And of those who were married and now dead, what number of Children they have left behind them.

My Brother John went to America in 1723, and purchased an Estate at Boyd’s-hole upon the River Potomack, where he resided until his death. He left behind him Three Sons, James, Thomas, and John, his Wife, and several daughters. The oldest Son James came over to me, was my Apprentice and died about Thirteen years ago, His Mother, his Brothers Thomas and John, and some Sisters were then living. Thomas, and John if still alive, are by this time about 25, and 26 Years of Age. But since the death of James, I have never received a letter from any one of the family, nor any certain information from others which of them are alive, or which of them have died since that period. I have only been informed that duiring the War, the family had left Boyds-hole. The dispersion of the family the death of some, and the distress of others duiring that unfortunate War, and the uncertainty of my being alive, are the most probable reasons that the survivors have never attempted to write me.

Your care and attention in procuring me a distinct and authentick account of the whole of my Brothers family, and of his Grand Children that are now living, with the places of their respective residence Will add another obligation to the many I have formerly received from your Honour. And in the mean time, I remain with great Respect and Sincerity Your Honours much Obliged and most Obedient Servant