The folowing is a copy of what I suppose to be a Egyptian hieroglyphics. The characters were found written on a piece of linen cloth and enclosed in a stone box and dug out of a well about three miles South East of this place by John Strangdon and John E Flays. The box and all are in my possession and to you I have applied as the only person who in my estimation can give a satisfactory translation. The men are extremely illiterate who found it and would not have given it to me had I not promised to keep the secret untill I could communicate with you

[3 lines of unknown characters]

If you can give me a translation of this I will believe in you & that is all I can do

I await your answer with extreme impatience

Jos Smith [p. [1]]