p.

Richmond, Aug. 5, 1836.

William Scott, Esq.

My Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of yours of the 3d
inst. and have perused it with much pleasure.

Your paper of the 27th has not yet come to house.
I however had borrowed a copy, from Mr. [Royale?]. Your
notice of the "Messenger" is well and judiciously written.
Your [ex?] is beautiful. If any thing, I should
say you that you have praised the [July?] No. far above
its deserts. Still if you spoke as you thought of
it, I am sure I ought not to grumble. I asked
your "candid" opinion - and you doubtless gave it.
I am grateful to you for having done so.

I have had a great deal of sickness in my
office, among my best hands, and since the 4th July. This
has thrown me all in the [back?] ground again - and will
prevent me from bringing out the Aug. No. earlier than the
20th. Nevertheless, I will on [underline]next Thursday[/underline], send you
as many loose sheets of it as I may then have ready -
and you may go to work on it in regular order
(taking care to let no one else see the sheets) - cutting
up every thing that may, in your opinion, merit such
treatment - and on the other hand saying a good
word in favor of all the articles which may merit
eulogy. Fair play, is all I ask, - and, from your
candid way of speaking, I am sure I shall [underline]that[/underline], at
your hands.

You say, if you can make yourself of any
service to me in your City, you would cheerfully do so.
I do not know precisely what to say on this [head?].