William Rotch, Sr. letter to Thomas Rotch, Dunkirk 9th mo 14th 1790

               
  B-163-11                               
                                           
                           Dunkirk, 9th mo 14th 1790
  Dear Children Thomas & Charity
                           Although time will 
  not permit one to say much, yet I wish to hand you
  some pledge of parental affection: you are much the 
  companions of my tender care and sympathy in this seperat'd 
  state. but by looking to and keeping near the fountain of
               experience
  life, you will ^a never failing source of comfort in every               
  probation that may attend, which in the course of your
  pilgrimage here will doubtless be many and various, this 
                               of those  wish to    
  has been and ever will be the lot ^who ^to follow the footsteps
  of the flock of Christ's companions.  I must refer you to 
  Sammy for the particulars of our passage, though nothing 
  peculiarly remarkable attended it:  we have cause of humble 
  thankfulness that this was the case, and for our safe 
  preservation over the great Ocean which was sometimes  
  Awfully Majestic and terrific We are all at present 
  much favour'd with health: though sickness is approaching 
  we thought there was great danger of [illegible]  
  [illegible] after our arrival [illegible]