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[Page 1]

Soho Square
Nov.7 1783

Sir

The Royal Society over which I have the Honor to Preside, not being enabled by their Funds which are no more than able to support their contingent expenses & reward the merit they may from time to time approve I have hitherto ever declined the Confidence of those who expect assistance from the public well knowing that assistance to be what I am unable to give Excuse me then if I decline the Communication of a secret on which a specific value is affixed which value should the secret be divulged by another may be [indecipherable]

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