Pine states that he had erased his name from the obligation of the Society of Artists, following the receipt of an insult from the President [
James Paine] and a few Fellows "for speaking Truth in the service of the Society at a late meeting". However, he has since had a lawyer's opinion that he cannot be discharged without the consent of the corporation at public meeting. He therefore desires such discharge that night, and refers to the "overbearing conduct" [of the President], who should be "speedily removed" to avoid making the rest of the members "contemptable".