The Seconds of Life, that remain to me, are So few and So Short; (and they Seem to me Shorter and Shorter every minute) that I cannot Stand upon Epistolary Ettiquette: And though I have written two Letters, yet unnoticed I must write a third. Because I am not acquainted with any Man on this Side of Montecello, who can give me any Information upon Subjects that I am now analysing and investigating; if I may be permitted to use the pompous Words now in fashion.

When I read Dr Priestleys Remarks upon “Du Puis,” I felt a Curiosity to know more about him. I wrote to Europe and engaged another to write. I had no Idea of more than one or two Volumes in 8o or 12mo

But Lo! I am overwhelmed1 with 8 or ten Volumes2 and another of Planches!

Sixteen years of Research the Author acknowledges, and as he quotes his Authorities I would not undertake to verify them in 16 years, If I had all his Books which Surely are not to be found in America.

If you know any Thing of this “Monsieur Dupuis”3 or his “origine de tous les Cultes”; candidus imperti.

I have read only the first Volume. It is learned and curious. The whole Work will afford me Business, Study and Amusement for the Winter.

Dr Priestley pronounced him an Atheist, and his Work “The Ne Plus ultra of Infidelity.” Priestley agrees with him, that the History of the Fall of Adam and Eve, is “an Alegory,” a Fable, an Arabian Tale, and So does Dr Middleton, to account for the origin of Evil; which however it does not

Priestly Says that the Apocalypse,4 according to Dupuis is the most learned Work that ever was written.

With these brief Fletrissures, Priestly Seems to have expected to annihilate5 the Influence of Dupuis Labours; as Swift destroyed Blackmore with his

“Did off Creation with a Jerk

And of Redemption made damn’d Work.” And as he disgraced Men as good at least as himself by his

“Wicked Will Whiston,

And Good, Master Ditton.”

But Dupuis is not to be So easily destroyed.

The Controversy between Spiritualism and Materialism between Spiritualists and Materialists, will not be Settled by Scurrilous Epigrams of Swift, nor by dogmatical Censures of Priestly.

You and I have as much Authority to Settle these Disputes as Swift Priestley or Dupuis, or The Pope.

And if you will agree with me, We will issue our Bull,6 and enjoin upon all these Gentlemen to be Silent, till they can tell Us, What Matter is and What Spirit is! And in the mean time to observe the Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount.

J. Adams