Letter from Nathaniel P. Poor, William Green, and Co. to the President and Members of the Columbian Institute, May 2, 1831

[[in pencil]] May 2, 1831 [[/in pencil]] To the President & Members of the Columbian Institute The subscribers having become proprietors of the American Journal of Improvements in the Useful Arts, and Mirror of the Patent Office, respectfully represent that they are about to issue the [[underlined]] first [[/underlined]] number of the [[underlined]] new series [[/underlined]] of that work, and will publish it hereafter [[underlined]] monthly [[/underlined]], varying in this respect from the plan of that work whilst conducted exclusively by Mr. Skinner, who published it [[underlined]] Quarterly [[/underlined]]; and anxious to avail themselves of all the aid within their reach calculated to enrich its pages, and extend its usefulness, they are counselled by their friends, as well as by the publick voice, to request permission of the Columbian Institute to [[underlined]] publish [[/underlined]] such of its papers, as may not be at variance with the rules of the Institute, in reference to its ulterior views. Aware of the objections raised against granting them this request, on the part of some of the members of the society, the subscribers beg permission to say, that they do not press the society to grant them any privilege which may

involve the Institute in anything like a sponsorship for the general character (whatever that may prove to be) of this projected enterprise. Their chief desire being to have [[insert]] ^ the [[/insert]] honor of presenting to the publick the productions of a society so justly distinguished as that to which they address this application. The assent of the Institute will involve it in no additional expense, and, it is believed, very little extra labour, as in every case where papers are permitted to be used, they will be transcribed at the expense of the subscribers. With this brief statement the memorialists conclude by requesting the favour of the Institute to act definitively on the subject with no little delay as suits its convenience, for [[underlined]] that [[/underlined]] decision will affect the arrangement of this matter in preparation for the first number, now nearly ready to be put to press. With great respect Nath[[superscript]] e [[/superscript]]. P. Poor for himself, W. Green & Co Washington May 2. 1831 Proprietors & Publishers of the American Journal &c [[end page]] [[start page]] [[blank page]]

To the Secretary of the Columbian Institute. For the Society. Washington [[rotated 180 degrees]] Read June 6. 1831. [[/rotated]]