I have recd. your letter of the 3d. inst; inclosing a manuscript copy of Mr. Webster’s prospectus of his Dictionary, with a printed specimen of the execution of the work; and I comply with your request of an early answer.

The plan embraces so many commendable objects beyond the ordinary Scope of such works that its successful execution must be a substantial improvement on them. The specimen, though too scanty to authorize, any definitive judgment certainly indicates learned research, elaborate discrimination, and a taste for careful definition, such as might be expected from the known ability, studies, and useful industry of the author. Confiding as I do in these qualifications, I am prepared to find in the fruit of his long and laborious application to a favorite pursuit, all the value ascribed to it. Whilst few things are more difficult, few are more desirable, than a standard work, explaining, and as far as possible, fixing, the meaning of words & phrases. All languages, written as well as oral, tho much less than oral, are liable to changes from causes, some of them inseparable from the nature of man, & the progress of society. A perfect remedy for the evil must therefore be unattainable. But as far as it may be attainable, the attempt is laudable; and next to compleat success is that of recording with admitted fidelity the state of a language at the epoch of the Record. In the exposition of laws, & even of Constitutions, how many important errors, may be produced by mere innovations in the use of words & phrases, if not controuled by a recurrence to the original and authentic meaning attached to them.

With a sincere wish that the enterprizing task of Mr. W. may obtain all the public approbation anticipated by his friends, & have every other remuneratory result, I tender you the expression of my friendly respects.