I have recd. yr. letter of the 24th inclosing the prospectus of a work you are about to publish. Havg found it convt. especially at my advanced age, to reduce rather extend my subscriptions of every sort, I must offer this as an explanation for not complying with your request, I offer at the same time my thanks for the intended favor you intimate, which under existing circumstances, it will be most accep[t]able to him not to impose on you.

With my good wishes for the success of yr undertaking, the value of wch I can not doubt, I beg you to accept the expression of my friendly respects