New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-07
DIR. THOMAS DICK.

The following letter from the venerable autnor OIL
" Dick = Works" will be read with deep interest oy
his numerous friends and admirers on this side OF the
Atlantic. whose sympathy was, some time since,
alarmed by certain statements made by the American
Press concerning his pecuniary endorsements
BRouGHTr FERRY, near Dundee, Scotland,
Thursday, Oct 90 1854.
To JgssE SHoRTEss ED: | feel highly indebted,
ny dear Sir TO you aud your friend, Mr. De Lamsier
for the kind and very friendly proposal you have
made 20 me- TO come and take up my abode in your
country end shall ever besrit in mind while m I'm
cory holds place have always entertainei
very high estimation of your country and its FREE
institutions: and there is other country in the
world | should feel more delighted 10 visit ana
inspect its progress in it, social arrangements, than
the Northern States of North America Had sucn q
PROPOSAL been made 10 me twenty years ago, II IS
highly probable should have gladly accepted IT. bu
my days are drawing to close, according 10 inc
course OF nature. In the course of few weeks more
shall have reached the age of eighty years wnicn
about the longest period allotted to man. Mucu a.
value your very kind and philantbropic proposal l
am induced, by my age and its incident innrmi'ies 70
remain IN my present locality during the remaining
DAYS that may be allotted me in this terrestrial scene
till the God Of my life shall see meet 10 ca ne W en
ter the confines Of another world:
Your friend Mr.. De Lanster alludes to certain pup.
lie ennoun ceents as il in actual want without
the necesssries of life There has been coneaerao,e
exaegeraton in reference TO these cuc ~
is true my income has been comparatively small, ana
I have derived q comparatively small compensation
for the copyright Of my WORKS my volumes, as
thew vera printei-I mean the copyright oil my
wofks-baye sold of q comparatively low price, ana
Lac indnced TO take whatever the publisher chose
IN Give me- For example, the " Christian Phhoso-
Gnber was originally sold for fl26 and after add
inc matter which filed two or three hundred pages
received $50 more. About fifteen editions OF this
work have been published, each of which, presume,
bss Produced at least, to the publisher $500; but
never received any further compensation, except
very few pounds. / have had good deal to do In
maintaining and educating an orphan family OF hye
grandchildren whose father and mother died ABOUT
Twelve wears ago within thirteen days Of each other
Notwithstanding cannot say that have ever wanted
the pecessaries Of life altho ugh could have wished
10 epioy little Of this worlds goods. both for
my own comfort and that of my family, as well as to
have it in my power TO devote portion TO pnIan-
thropic purposes The reports Of my poverty never
originated with myself. believe they originated in
this way: An English gentleman called upon me one
day about six years ago, and supposing lived In
somewhat splendid lyle, wished Mrs. Dick to send
her servant with parcel TO the hotel at which he
lodging but was somewhat astonished at being ia
formed that che bad no servant and, on further In
ouiry il wes understood we were not in situation To
keer one little before this, had sent memorial,
subscribed by Lord Kinnaird, Lord Duncan, Gov.
Duncan, Esq., NJ Z. for Dundee, and about a dozen
other very respectable gentlemen, to the Premier,
Lord John Russell for small pension. but no an
swer was ever returned 20 it. The gentleman before
alluded TO sfterwsrd got copy OF 1t, and inserted
statement, somewhat exaggerated, in The Aeaeam.
and some other London journals, which was copied IN
several other newspapers. aud after"ard py the
American Press; and I had at that time no way OF
modify ing or counteracDg the statements which ap-
peered. These statements, however, produced sew
eral pecupiary testimonials, particularly from your
couptry-more especially from Philadelphia Boston,
CINCINNATI, and other places. In consequence Of
these testimonissparticularly from Amsrics-l have
been enabled to live pretty comfortably though not
In afliuepce.
BE SO good as to present my very kind respect, to
your friends and lot them know the substance OF
what have never before made public. Wishing you
all happiness and an interest in all spiritual and
heavenly blessings,
am my dear Sir your much obliged AMI sincere friend
THOMAS DICK.