Excuse, my dear Sir, my so frequent and importunate intrusions.

The melancholy catastrophe which has befallen poor de Rozier, has just now been announced to me—well indeed, may I now say with my favorite poet,

An hour ago, and for several days I have been most anxiously impatient, expecting the permission I solicited thro you—and now, the refusal, or the delay, (for I have heard nothing) is the sole cause of my present existence.

I shall still be greatly oblidged, if you had done any thing in that affair, to inform me of the particulars; whether for, or against me.

So much have I been oblidged to embarrass my self, by the late experiments I made, and their hitherto unfortunate consequences. That the present, Res angusta domi &c &c induce me to make every new effort in my power to derive some advantages from them.

Monsieur de Rozier did me the honour to communicate and to shew me several large elegant gold Medals, designed and executed, commemmorating of the several discoveries and improvements made in France, respecting Aerostatic Experiments to which he was intrusted with, (I think by order of the King) as presents to the King or Queen here. Now I pray you forgive me, ignorant as I am in Court Etiquette, if I am guilty of inpropriety in my wishes.

I assure you it must be from ignorance—not design.

Having reason to think that the french Court to thought me entitled to some degree of notice here for my late attempt; and since, I had earnestly requested, and would most chearfully have attempted the Experiment with de Rozier; might not the generosity and Candour of that polite nation, condescend, from all these circumstances, to indulge me the honour to present those Medals, and thereby afford me an opportunity, under such royal sanction, to obtain some attention here.

If it be possible to obtain this noble indulgence; as far as I know my own heart, I would endeavour thro life to approve my respectful gratitude to all concerned.

Will you? can you, my dear friend, yet this once interpose in my behalf.

I think you will if you can with propriety—without it, I dare not risk it—and yet I cannot but expect some favour from so generous a court.

May it be permitted to mention it to his grace, the condescending good Duke of Dorchester to you, my good friend I must refer it. I have just got my Aerial Journal from Sir Joseph Banks (who has not been so kind or so indulgent as he promised) and am transcribing a copy for your venerable Doctor; and design other for his grace of Dorchester and the Duke de Chartres, if you think they will be acceptable.

I am not unmindful, that you must be at this time much engaged—but my dear Sir I am not blessed with other friends who are able—Therefore do, do consent to add one more indulgence July 9, from some circumstances occured this day, I more and more wish to obtain the permission I now crave—I cannot but hope that, since many of the Nobility and Ministry expressed to me thier wishes, that I might obtain some notice or reward hre, that they will indulge me in this means of obtaining it, since I have hitherto been so unfortunate in my late attempt—pray excuse your obliged