Richard Imlay letter to Thomas Rotch, Hartford, Conn, 1 mo 16, 1820

               
  B-102-19
  Dear Friends          Hartford Conn. 1 Mo 16, 1820
       little did I expect when we last parted that
  1820 would come before we met but thus is all things
  in this State of Uncertainty and Changes you oft
  times in looking back on years past and gone Remember
  us and I can assure you amidst all the Changes of
  time we have not forgotten you but oft have we
  repeated a wish that your Happiness Might Increase
  and the Cloude of tribulation pass from your Borders
  but unto the Children of men suffering is appointed
  the Cup you as well as us have had to drink and
  altho hard indeed oft times hath it seemed yet let
  us Remember that as apart of the greate family
  that are by Creation liable and suffered to meet
  and pass the Sea of Tribulation & Tryal we must
  in duty Bow and Say Amen thy Will be done. 
    Such has been my situation since I last wrote
  you I have never been able to say any thing that
  would Communicate to your Minds any Tale of our
  settlement since I left Trenton, or Situation so as you
  could be informed with certainty. I continued in
  Trenton Until 3 mo 1819 after my Business according
  to the Lean on property improved by me for my
  Establishment Expired. I was obliged to leave my business
  which had in Consequence of the times become much ordered
  and the Material Exhausted. I had a Mill which