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10

August 21st 18.

R McIntosh Esq
Davenport Iowa,

Dear Sir,

Your esteemed letter of 15 Aug was duly received and its contents perused with great pleasure.

It is gratifying to see the spreading of the great principle of Mercy throughout our country, and it is a matter for congratulation that Iowa has [fallen?] into line [to?] do battle for the rights of, what you rightly call, "Our Dumb Friends."

All honor to you, as the pioneer of this work of reform in your State, and you will find that the field that you & your colleagues have undertaken to cultivate, will afford you & them, much reason for deep & heartfelt satisfaction.

We did not expect, in founding this Institution, that we would [sail?] over [illegible] sons, we had to combat prejudices & to bend the public mind, we have met taunts & jeers, but one kind word made up for 100 unkind ones, we know we were right, and by a steadfast perseverance in treading the one [underlined] path, our success has been indeed gratifying.

Your Society being the first [and?] [established?] in your State, [ought?] to be named "The Iowa Society &c" & have a charter from the State, & Branches working under it. This is what we are doing here, and we would suggest that your seal should be similar to ours, substituting "Iowa" for "American."

You will receive with this, our 2nd Annual Report, [&?] on [perusing?] of which you will find the progress the divine principle has made, and diffuculties it has encountered.

Wishing you every success & hoping that you will communicate freely & often with us.

I remain
Yours Respy
J Mudie
Chief Clerk.