“September 24, 1811. You will see by the papers which accompany this what a report respecting the capture of the U.S. frigate President by Melampus frigate prevails here.  It is sufficient to say it is not in the least credited.

“In case of war I shall be ordered out of the country.  If so, instead of returning home, had I not better go to Paris, as it is cheaper living there even than in London, and there are great advantages there?  I only ask the question in case of war....  I am going on swimmingly.  Next week on Monday the Royal Academy opens and I shall present my drawing.”

“October 21, 1811. I wrote you by the Galen about three weeks ago and have this moment heard she was still in the Downs.  I was really provoked.  There is great deception about vessels; they advertise for a certain day and perhaps do not sail under a month after.  The Galen has been going and going till I am sick of hearing she hasn’t gone.”

“November 6, 1811. After leaving this letter so long, as you see by the different dates, I again resume it.  Perhaps you will be surprised when I tell you that but yesterday I heard that the Galen is still wind-bound.  It makes my letters which are on board of her about five or six weeks old, besides the prospect of a long voyage.  However it is not her fault.  There are three or four hundred vessels in the same predicament.  The wind has been such that it has been impossible for any of them to get under weigh; but I must confess I feel considerably anxious on your account....

“I mentioned in one of my other letters that I had drawn a figure (the Gladiator) to admit me into the Academy.  After I had finished it I was displeased with it, and concluded not to offer it, but to attempt another.  I have accordingly drawn another from the Laocoon statue, the most difficult of all the statues; have shown it to, the keeper of the Academy and am admitted for a year without the least difficulty.  Mr. Allston was pleased to compliment me upon it by saying that it was better than two thirds of the drawings of those who had been drawing at the Academy for two years.”

“November 85, 1811. I mentioned in my last letter that I had entered the Royal Academy, which information I hope will give you pleasure.  I now employ my days in painting at home and in the evenings in drawing at the Academy as is customary.  I have finished a landscape and almost finished a copy of a portrait which Mr. West lent me.  Mr. Allston has seen it and complimented me by saying it was just a hundred tunes better than he had any idea I could do, and that I should astonish Mr. West very much.  I have also begun a landscape, a morning scene at sunrise, which Mr. Allston is very much pleased with.  All these things encourage me, and, as every day passes away, I feel increased enthusiasm....

“Distresses are increasing in this country, and disturbances, riots, etc., have commenced as you will see by the papers which accompany this.  They are considered very alarming.”