1st. Who are you?
2d. Who knows you?
3d. Who do you know?
4th. Is "Wm, H. Jolliet" the name given you in baptism?
5th. Wouldn't you receive less than six shillings, if you could get it?
6th. Do you think you have taken me in?
7th. After reading the above, please inform me whether you remain Jolly yet.
Not your victim,
Jno. S.——
H——, Jan. 28, 1855.
Sir:
I know I am ambitious. I have my aspirations. My fame may be extending. Perhaps it is, I had thought it was local; confined to this county, certainly to the State. But it seems that I am known abroad, and you wish me to pay the moderate sum of seventy-five cents for verifying the fact. Sir, I am an Anglo-Saxon. I rejoice in it. And I don't doubt that somewhere between Adam's time and mine, some of my progenitors have inhabited England. But I believe they have all died or moved away. So you see it isn't likely that I have any relations in Liverpool, whence came the package you say is in your hands.
In the next place, sir, living as I do in an inland town, I know little of those "who go down to the sea in ships." (David, Psalms. Cap. 107.) And all my particular friends are in this country, according to the best of my knowledge and belief. But no others than the individuals I have cited, would be likely to send me packages from foreign lands. It therefore follows, sir, that the aforesaid package is not in rerum natura. I shall be happy to receive from you any facts which may vitiate this conclusion.
Pending this, I remain yours, &c.,
Ed. B——.
Mr. Wm. H. Jolliet.