Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised at what I am about to write, but Sir I have a particular reason for doing it—you may Sir recollect of receiveing a 4to Vol. entitled Statisicl Annals of the U. States, from Mr Frederic A. Mayo. there is annother 4to Vol. entitled Drydens Fables—Those 2 Vols. were bound in a superor style, the reason of my writing to you on this subject is Mr Mayo has exhibited them all-over Richmond and the general supposition was that they were his own work

I Bound both Vols. my self, I drew the Plan, I selected the tools, in short I done the whole—it is better than one year since I bound them1 I can bring forward a number to prove that they were my own work,=the Principle reason of my writing is, that I think I ought to have a little of the Creadit as well as Mr M. to have all.2 it is true I did work for Mr M. at the time=I am sir an American born & my Father & Grand Father before me—I was left alone without father or Mother at nine years of age—the Man that I was bound to for the purpose of learning the trade did not know his business & I was oblige to shurk for myself—I am oblige to work as a journyman for I am not able to purchase tools for myself—as I have a family to support—but I am in hope that kind providence will turn to me some time or other=I am at work for Mr J. Botner in Calvert St. I have ben told lately that you did not receve the books till a few weeks since theey must be verry much defece’d for Mr M. has shewe[d] them to evry person that he was acquainted with—that you cannot be mistaken in the books—they had Collumns on the sides & Silk inside the board[s.] I hope that you will not take any offince at this, Sir—from your verry humble Servent.