"To insure the truthfulness of the work, I propose to gather most of my information from individuals who have actually been engaged in the experiments of which I treat. With this object in view, I take the liberty to address you, asking your aid in carrying out my plan. I request you to give me an account of the experiment in which you were engaged at ----. For instance, I require such information as the following questions would call forth, viz: "1. Who originated it, or how was it originated? "2. What were its principles and objects? "3. What were its means in land and money? "4. Was all the property put into common stock? "5. What was the number of persons in the Association? "6. What were their trades, occupations and amount of skill? "7. Their education, natural intelligence and morality? "8. What religious belief, and if any, how preached and practised? "9. How were members admitted? was there any standard by which to judge them, or any property qualification necessary? "10. Was there a written or printed constitution or laws? if so can you send me a copy? "11. Were pledges, fines, oaths, or any coercive means used? "12. When and where did the Association commence its experiment? Please describe the locality; what dwellings and other conveniences were upon it; how many persons it could accommodate; how many persons lived on the spot; how much land was cultivated; whether there were plenty of provisions; &c., &c. "13. How was the land obtained? Was it free or mortgaged? Who owned it? "14. Were the new circumstances of the associates superior or inferior to the circumstances they enjoyed previous to their associating? "15. Did they obtain aid from without? "16. What particular person or persons took the lead? "17. Who managed the receipts and expenditures, and were they honestly managed? "18. Did the associates agree or disagree, and in what? "19. How long did they keep together? "20. When and why did they break up? State the causes, direct and indirect. "21. If successful, what were the causes of success? "Any other information relating to the experiment, that you may consider useful and interesting, will be acceptable. By such information you will confer a great favor, and materially assist me in what I consider a good undertaking.