{ do not assent to my theory or i 
the Larth, and other planets — so far as' 
they do or may reject it; or, so tar as they 
may decline approving it on a general 
scale; so that, should it, either sooner or 
later, be established as a truth, proof may 
appear of the doubts or disapprobation 
with which it had been received by the 
mass of 1 itorany r cotemporaries; that is to 
say, il I do. nofinmaSize or obtain the gra¬ 
tification tbajrwould arise from a prompt 
approbation of the Societies, I may, at 1 
least, at some future day,—be entitled to ! 
receive whatever credit may ultimately ! 
result to me, from the circumstance of my | 
having finally succeeded in establishing 
the general truth of a theory, which was 
opposed and discouraged by a majority j 
of the most respectable schools of the day. 
i trust, that the gentlemen of each lit¬ 
erary society will, both in their corporate 
and individual capacities, accept my a- 
pology f .r addressing them through the 
medium of the press; when they are in-j 
formed that my pecuniary resources do ! 
not readily admit of the expense and in¬ 
convenience of a written correspondence j 
by mail, and when they take into conside- j 
ration, that I have at different times,with- j 
in the tour years iast past, written to ma¬ 
ny literary societies, without receiving 
any subsequent encouiagement; and with- ! 
out producing any sort of acknowledge- j 
men! or notice, except from the National 
Institute of France, (unless,indeed, as in¬ 
sinuated in the National Gazette, the! 
lloyal Society of Madrid, has had the 
theory under consideration, and taken | 
some kind ef public notice of it) with 
the exception, however, of regular replies 
from Dr. Mitchell, who has informed me 1 
tnat. a Literary Society in the city of N. 
i o; k, of which he is a member, has taken 
my seventh number under consideration. 
he urbanity and attention which that 
gentlemen lias shewn me, in relation to 
ln y correspondence with him, I shall al-j 
' Va Ys be happy to acknowledge. 
