Your favour of the 12th. inst. came to hand on Tuesday last, and I was sincerely sorry to find that a difficulty, which I could not have foreseen, has prevented a compliance with my request. It did not appear to me possible to doubt whether or no a recommendation by so dignified a Character as your excellency, could be of service to the work I publish. I scorn adulation. But I must take the liberty to observe, that general Washington’s excepted, I know of none more likely to be of benefit. I therefore beg leave to renew my request, that your excellency would be please, as speedily as convenience may allow, to favour me with such a Character of the Work, as its design and execution merit.

The very polite and friendly declaration that your excellency will “always be ready to testify” your approbation of the Museum “by any aid in your power” emboldens me to solicit, that whenever opportunities may occur, your Excellency will be so kind as to recommend it to the Encouragement and patronage of your firends, which will be regarded as a most particular favour, by him who has the honour to be, with due reatrd and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and much-obliged servant