He writes, after long reflection, about the series of portraits he painted of her family, which he now feels should be completed, although his eyes prevent him from completing the work himself. He has not painted professionally for five years. While practicing miniature painting he averaged £1200 a year, when forced into pastel work after 1791 he averaged £800. So comfortable was he that he felt little need to pursue the greater part of his fortune, left in India on a Bond to the Nabob Vizier, which he considered a "nest egg".
He details his attempts to gain support in his claim and the current parlous state of his finances. According to the opinion of
Mr. Walker and
Mr. Ware, both eminent oculists, and
Mr. Heaviside the surgeon, his loss of sight is directly attributable to his work on the Dorset cabinet of pictures. Even so, he is very keen to complete the series of portraits by using the hand and eyes of his able pupil, without cost to Her Grace, beyond frugal expenses for the young artist.