I feel effects from my last Vigil, when I wrote you a letter which I presume the post has delivered.
But to yours of this morning I observe, that I wrote yesterday to the Committee referring to my application a few years ago,2 for the grounds of their donation to me then, and stating in the best way I can what I have done since. This Mr. Blewitt will of course lay before the Committee, & be satisfactory.
Please to observe, that written recommendations however strong, & they cannot be stoo strong, will be useless without they also testify to pecuniary difficulties, my moral character, & my distressed circumstances.
Read carefully the Rules — they must be construed literally — & observed literally
The Testimonials must be in writing. If Mr. Blewitt will please to show you my papers sent in a few years ago, they will show the grounds on which the Committee acted then.
I have ever been of opinion that the Resolutions of the Patriot Committee should be repeatedly advertised in that paper, with the short printed Address. They form my Case, and there appears to me no valid reason why it should not be addressed, at this time, I mean without further delay, to the readers of the Patriot. If my Committee desire me to cooperate in making further applications I must have a printed statement of my Case, & the Resolutions of the Patriot Committee seem to afford the ground of such statement — That has been always my opinion, & the more I have watered it the stronger it grows.
Do not doubt whether "we can get such a long Advertisement inserted." I do not. What? Apply properly, & we shall see which is right.
Mrs. H. thanks you for your promised attention to her in your letter, also poor Ellen.
About Shepherd I wrote to you last night
What a morning. The weather here [pinches?]
[Addressed:]
Dr. West
40 Craven Street
Strand