A very fine 1828 unpublished ALS to Baptist Pastor, author, and agent of the Baptist General Tract Society [BGTS], Augustus Beach. The letter is from one of the founders of the BGTS, Noah Davis, who wanted to both cooperate with and compete with the American Tract Society in dispensing inexpensive devotional generally [cooperate] and Baptistic works specifically [compete] westward during the rapid expansion toward the Pacific.
The letter was addressed to Augustus Beach, who appears to have had possession of the printing plates of one of the earliests "immerser" Baptist translations of the New Testament. The specific plates are difficult to identify. The "immerser" translation caused some controversy and was not issued in English until 1830 or shortly thereafter. However, missionaries [including Adoniram Judson] began using the equivalent words in their translations in the late 1820's.
So it seems to me there are two options. Either the plates for the English translation were already done, but the controversy prevented publication until 1830, or the plates are those of one of the missionaries.
Also there is reference to a tract Beach has written for the BGTS, the distribution of Baptist tracts, etc.,
o Augustus Beach.
The letter is in very good condition, with tears at folds, but generally solid, and generally bright.
