I feel disposed, however, to attribute 1 
the silence of the Literafi in general on 
this subject to what i deem too refined a 
motive of delicacy, in not wishing to 
wound my feelings, by open opposition to 
a Theory which they could not approve, j 
In case of their compliance with my 
wishes, the Societies have only to follow 
the precedent set by the Academy of Sci¬ 
ences, or National Institute, at Paris, a- 
bove alluded to; which Institution, with a 
promptitude not yet exhibited on the sub¬ 
ject by any Literary or Philosophical So¬ 
ciety in America, positively and readily 
declared its dissent to the Theory or Sys¬ 
tem, immediately upon my first and sev¬ 
enth numbers being laid before them bv 
the late Count Volney, who was one of 
the members. This was to me far more 
desirable,arid I think, more commendable 
in the Society—however repulsively it 
may have been couched—than an entire 
disregard of the subject w ould have been. 
Public notices or remarks, in relation j 
to my principles, communicated through | 
the medium of the press, are to me more 
desirable than private letters; for private 
approbation or discussion, consumes time, 
without much promoting the general pro¬ 
mulgation of truth. “ Light should not 
be hid under a bushel.’’ 
Should the Societies in any degree yield 
to the influence of public opinion, I may 
hope for a compliance with my request; 
for, it is believed that a good portion of 
the community, await with no small de¬ 
gree of interest the decision of the Liter¬ 
ary Societies; because, as a matter ot 
course, it is thought, that they are best a- 
ble to give a correct opinion of the truth 
or error of the Theory. It would be an 
extraordinary anomaly, should the less 
learned part of the community be the 
first to accept the Theory as a truth, or 
the first to decidedly disprove or reject it. 
Sincerely and respectfully, 
JOHN CLEVES SYMMES. 
Newport, Ky. April 4, 1822. 
