Autograph letter signed : place not specified, to James Aickin, 1799 October 12.

Commenting on Drury Lane's current dependence on revivals; offering to appear as Lord Ogleby the following Tuesday and Thursday, if Aickin decides on another performance of The Clandestine Marriage (written by David Garrick and George Colman the elder); giving his opinion on acceptable co-stars: "When ever repetition of the Clandestine Marriage shall be found necessary, I think (but I do not presume to dictate) Miss Biggs shou'd be the Fanny Sterling -- She has already play'd it with me on that stage; and it wou'd really be too much to stand a second fag with the young Lady who appear'd in it lately. What she may hereafter arrive at I will not attempt to say -- but at present she is very unequal to the undertaking in such a Theatre"; explaining in a long postscript why he is making this offer: "I beg leave to add, and not by way of a secret, that I come forward very readily, though at some small inconvenience, because I think I see distress"; adding "The Proprietors leave unperform'd their most solemn engagements with me -- I will not run in debt, nor do I affect to live upon air -- I cannot, notwithstanding vows and promises, acquire one guinea of my arrears; nor have I yet received a shilling of my current salary. O, poor Drury!"