Matthew Witherspoon has requested my introduction to thee. He is lately arrived from Liverpool. My impressions, during the short acquaintance I have had with him, are in his favor; he appears to be a young man of intelligence and very decent manners. On thy goodness I rely for my excuse for this liberty, as well as for another on which I am about to venture.

If there be no impropriety in it, I shall be greatly obliged by thy ordering for me, in the vessel about to sail for France and England, the books mentioned in the enclosed list. I know not how otherwise to procure them, as I cannot find them in New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. If it be improper I implore thy pardon for making the request. In either case be so kind as to inform me. Present my respects to thy wife; and accept the assurance of my unfeigned esteem.