I had the honor of writing you, my illustrious doctor, upon M. Paine's arrival here. I expressed to you the pleasure you gave me, in procuring me the honor of his acquaintance, and the more I see him, the more I owe you thanks, for I discover new worthy qualities in him every day, together with a perceptive and direct judgment which he brings to all things. We have the pleasure of keeping him with us still, about which I believe he is not too happy, if you want my opinion, for he very much wants to leave us. However, the report on his bridge is not yet completed, and he was unable to leave this week as he had planned. I imagine that he told you the names of the three committee members that the Academy appointed for him: M. le Chevalier de Borda, and the Abbé Bossut, both excellent geometers and the latter particularly specializing in the theory of arches; and the third is myself, your servant. I urged these two gentlemen to finish the report, having the dubious honor of being their elder; but seeing that they were not completing it, I undertook it last week. I was hoping that it could be finished yesterday, Tuesday, as there was a supplementary assembly because of the celebration, so that you might receive it by the same ship which will bring you this letter. But despite all my good intentions, it was not possible. You know our standards, my illustrious doctor, you know that the Academy is not content with generalities, and that, as much as possible and can be carried out, it demands demonstrative proof for the opinions expressed and judgments passed. And I found that it was not as easy as I thought to present, on the appropriate day, everything that we had to say about your compatriot's ingenious bridge. But this report will not take any longer than until next Saturday. Until then, all I can tell you is that the Academy has a very favorable impression of it, for, as you know, a committee member cannot foretell the judgment of his fellows, nor speak out about the matter. Several members wish this bold idea to be finally carried out in America. I must also add that, having researched and examined all the iron bridges which have been proposed before M. Paine's, it seems to me that everyone generally agrees in seeing it as the most simple and solid construction of any of them. There you have it, my illustrious doctor—all that I am happy to be able to have the honor of telling you via the ship which is leaving for Lorient, so that you know what delayed M. Paine's report and that I am the only one guilty for this delay. At any rate, you know that every occasion to write you is precious, giving me the privilege of renewing the assurance of the most sincere sentiments of attachment that I have devoted to you for life, and with which I have the honor of being, my illustrious doctor, your very humble and obedient servant