From Miles Merwin (unpublished)
Philadelphia December 15th. 1789
Sir—

I have met with very considerable success in procuring subscribers to my History of the United States, to which your Excellency was pleased to honour me with your name, after perusing an anonymous specimen of the work. Which taken of approbation in you together with the advice of some of my friends, has induced me to put my name to the work, and sollicit the favour of Dedicating it to your Excellency. I have therefore taken this method to ask permission of your Excellency to publish the enclosed Dedication, in the first Volume of my history, subject to any alterations which your Excellency shall see fit to make. I am Sir Your Excellency’s humble Servant

Miles Merwin

p.s. The Introduction to the history will be altered conformable to the dedication if I am so happy as to procure permission to insert it.

M.M.

The Bearer of this letter will call for an answer tomorrow. To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire late Ambassador from the Congress of the United States to the Court of France. The Friend to Virtue, Science, Human[ity,] Liberty and his Country. The following History of the United States, (the Independence of which Your Excellency has been one principal agent in accomplishing and establishing) is most respectfully dedicated. By your Excellency’s Sincere Friend

The Author

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