Imboldened by the contents of the letter, which Your Excellency did me the honour to write to me on the 15th August 1804, I take the liberty of submitting to his approbation, proposals for the formation of a Museum Natura at the college of William & Mary, and of soliciting his influential concurrence and powerful patronage for the success of the undertaking.

This institution undertaken for the benefit and use of a college situate in the native State of Your Excellency, and of which he has been a bright ornament in his juvenile years, will, it is hoped obtain his approbation and support. By honouring the same with those favours Your Excellency will essentially contribute in promoting the science of Natural History, and in the meantime give an honourable and gratifying mark of a friendly remembrance of the said College and of Williamsburg.

A plan for a society, similar to the Linnean Society of London, is in contemplation by several friends of Natural History, but it will take a long time before its issue may be ascertained: Should it eventually succeed, it will be optional to the subscribers to the enclosed proposals to join the said society.

I have the honor to be with profound Veneration and respect Sir Your Excellencys Most humble and obedient Sert