I received by the hands of Mr. Car Michael your Excellency’s Esteemed favor of the 4th Decr. last accompanied with the valuable Titles of Members of the American Philosophical Society, and the second volume of their Transactions which contain their Laws, a list of these Members, and various Experiments and Papers upon Subjects chiefly relative to the (Ciencias naturales y exactas) Mathematicks & Natural History—I am much indebted for these favors as well to your Excellency as to our Society in whose Works (in which I feel a personal Interest from the Honor they have done me in making me one of their Body) I observe with inexpressible Satisfaction, so much Judgement sound Criticism and intelligence in the respective Sciences of which they treat, that I am assured they will effectually Contribute to promote in a high degree Usefull Knowledge the Laudable object for which our Society was Instituted and consequently its Labors being renewed by the return of peace, to rival the most ancient & Celebrated of its kind established in Europe.

In the midst of the continued occupation of the Government of the Council which I have held from more then three Years past, Your Body, and its Illustrious President will find me always ready to contribute not only to its Service & pleasure but also to the duties of it; neglecting no opportunity to assist them as much as time circumstances & situation will admit & as often as subjects and discoveries may occur which may appear to answer the ends of the Society—The Books which our Academy of History have sent to your Excellency are accompanied with the first volume of the Spanish Latin & Arabian Dictionary printed here under my Direction which I have Prefaced by a Discourse upon the Utility of the Study of the Arabian Language particularly for Spaniards: this consideration led me to Dedicate to its Cultivation the moments of my Youth which were free from the Studies & the business of my profession. I shall take care as soon as they come out to send the remaining Volumes to complete the Work they being already in the Press. Your Excellency’s Letter and your late Gift has renewed in my mind sentiments of Gratitude for your former favors & the esteem and friendship I always expressed for your respectable Self whose life I pray may be continued for happy & lengthened Years.

I am &c