Sir,

For three years I have toured the principal cities of Germany, Austria, Hungary, etc., where my representations have been crowned with the greatest success. It is unheard of that a person of African nationality should have attempted to play dramatic roles. The success I have had in the greatest theaters of Germany, that is to say, at Berlin, Vienna, Wurtemburg, Frankfurt/M, has increased my desire to make an attempt in the French capital. His Majesty, the King of Prussia, has condescended to honor me with the Large Gold Medal for Art and Sciences, the Emperor of Austria with the Medal of Ferdinand, and Switzerland with the White Cross. I have also received letters of recommendation from the courts of Prussia, Austria, and Saxe-Coburg to the court of France. My intention is to come to France with a troupe of English players to give the following representations: Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Richard III, The Merchant of Venice, and Bertram. My conditions are as follows: I ask for a guarantee to cover the expenses I will have to bring my troupe to Paris, and the engagement must be for twelve nights. For each performance I ask for half the net receipts or a fixed salary.…