Observing you attentive to natural Philosophy as well as to other branches of science, I take occasion to present you with a fossil which you may consider a curiosity, & not unworthy of your contemplation. It was found on Rice-hope Estate on Cooper River, in forming a Canal, 20 feet under the surface of the Earth, & 10 feet above the level of the River swamp.

It lay with several others of similar form in a stratum of Earth resembling decay’d shells, two hundred feet distant from the swamp—I likewise send you a broken one least your Excellency should chuse to direct a chimical analysis on it—From my experiments they prove dentous—The curious & learned here have concluded them to be the Teeth of some Monster unknown at this day.

I remain with all due respect & the highest consideration your Excellencys very hum Svt.