M^r Owen

I received y^r letter in due time but deferred my answer till I had applied to our country men on the interesting subject. I am sorry to say that I met with universal discouragement not only from them to [sic] the english I have seen in a long series of visits I am just returnd [sic] from. It cannot be expected a single person can support so grand a scheme. I therefore with reluctance decline what I cannot carry into effect.¹ I wish you better success with y^r Dictionary which is looked for with impatience. with my best wishes I rest

y^r friend

Tho. Pennant

Downing May [...]7^th 1791.

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Editorial notes

1. It is possible that Pennant may be referring here to the interest of the London-Welsh in pursuing the descendants of the twelfth-century prince, Madog ab Owain Gwynedd in America. See his letter of 2 July 1791 to Pughe, 1420; and on the Madogwys, Gwyn A. Williams, Madoc: The Making of a Myth (London: Eyre Methuen, 1979).