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New York, May 7th, 1801
To [[?]] Durand, Ingham Vothers
Members of the National Academy of Design; 
Gentlemen, 
Your flattering request that I would allow my name to be used as a Candidate for the Presidency of the Academy at the coming election as just be handed to me._
There are many reasons mainly of a personal nature which make me unfeignedly reluctant to accede to your request. I have been so long out of the traces of Art that I am conscious of inability to fulfil the duties of the position either to my own, or your satisfaction, and the great pressure of other duties demanding my time and attention add to my reluctance.-
Yet it has been so strongly represented to me that the vital interests of the Academy are to a great extent involved in my yea or nay, that in this view of the case, the feelings of paternity is strongly received in my hear, and I cannot forget the early travail with my honored associates, which brought into existence the National Academy of Design. 
The request of so many of the members, given with such unanimity, cannot be slightly regarded by me and I yield my inclinations, and doubts at their bidding.
I make one condition, however,