Williams writes that the
duke of Newcastle had given him a commission for a painting. The duke would pay him £300 and the subject of the painting was to be entirely Williams's own choice. The duke was a great admirer of Gibson's work. Williams had also received a commission from Mr Sheepshanks, who had a fine collection of modern pictures and was a great friend to artists. Williams mentions his attendance at the dinner of the Royal Academy, at which it was hinted to him that he would be admittted to the Academy as soon as he came to England, but not before. He was not optimistic about his prospects of election. There would be a struggle between Wyatt and
young Westmacott for election as Associate, and there was no doubt as to who would succeed. Williams had been told that
Sir Francis Chantrey was to superintend the placing of Gibson's group of 'Hylas' on its pedestal.
Sir George Hayter's appointment as painter to His Majesty had caused great uneasiness at the Royal Academy as that office used to be conferred upon the president. Williams intended to describe the mode of removing sculptures from the RA when they met.