The copy-text is the manuscript in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. It was first published by Prior in 1837. It is addressed ‘To | Robert Bryanton Esqr At | Ballymahon | Ireland.’ It is postmarked 15 and 17 August.

Balderston uses Prior's copy of this letter, a transcript of the original manuscript given him by the owner, the Reverend Robert Handcock (1770–1848), of Dublin. Prior, and thus Balderston, introduced paragraphing, punctuation and other emendations which were not in the original, which have been reversed below, though we have taken Prior as our guide where the text is worn away. The Hibernian Chronicle (1 Jan. 1795) reported that Handcock, of Marlborough Street, Dublin, had recently married a Miss Bryanton of Frederick Street, Dublin. Robert Handcock was, thus, Robert Bryanton's son-in-law. Prior notes ‘that portions of the paper being worn away by time, a few sentences now imperfect, are attempted to be supplied from the context, and it is hoped, with a near approach to accuracy. The passages thus introduced are inclosed within brackets’ (P, I: 263). His suggestions for illegible passages are retained here.