I have copied several very highly colored French prints. The copies are far superior to the originals, in that, while they have _every_ tint of color, they are exceedingly brilliant. This is a characteristic in which I never fail, even with the plates merely cleaned with rotten stone--the brilliancy depending on _other causes_. Well polished plates, however, are preferable for other reasons. It is _essential_ that the plates should be very pure, free from scum? dampness, and organic matter of every kind, and I am experimenting with different substances, in hopes of finding something that will more perfectly cleanse, while it thoroughly polishes. I would be very thankful to any person who might furnish me with valuable hints on this point, as I am convinced that here lies one great cause of uncertainty. My trouble with the _yellow_, which you mentioned in the last number of the "Daguerreian Journal," relates only to the homogeneous rays, orange, buff, and all the various shades of yellow come out true except the _chrome yellow_ which appears less brilliant. This, however, is thought by distinguished artists, no serious objection. My late visit to your city was much shorter than I could have wished. I called on a number of Artists, and the cordial manner in which they congratulated me has added much to my kindly feelings towards the fraternity, and strengthened my resolution to give all worthy Daguerreotypists and Artists, my process on terms which I believe will be satisfactory. As far as this is concerned, please say to such their interests are safe in my hands. I met with but one person anyway sceptical, and he is willing to be more fully satisfied when he "sees the pictures," which is very fair I am sure. While it is very cheering to me, in my truly arduous duties, to review the kind congratulations of my brother Artists, the most I am entitled to _claim_ in an age when almost every announcement is regarded as humbug, is that the Daguerreian world will give me a fair chance to perfect my discovery. A few have seen my pictures, and their expressed opinions agree with mine, viz., that these pictures will astonish the world. I saw in your city, in the hands of Mr. Hite, Artist, some exquisite ivory miniatures. It astonished me that the human hand could paint "the form of the human face divine," in such a mode; but I pleasantly said to the Artist, what I now repeat in all seriousness, that the pictures by my process necessarily exceed in beauty the finest productions of the painter, they being drawn by light and painted by sun-beams. I have heard several rumors while in the city, in respect to my designs in the disposition of my discovery. Allow me to say, for the information of all concerned, that my purpose is _unalterably_ fixed to avoid _monopoly_, and to take a course which will put the process into general use.