William Rotch, Sr. letter to Thomas Rotch, New Bedford 8 mo 22d 1805

               
  B-163-42
                           New Bedford 8 mo 22d 1805
  my dear Son,
              I sent thee an addition of 4 Bundles of
  Books by G Delano who left us a few days ago, of T Colleys, wch with
  that by thy Brot Wm makes 480 - thou mentiond 500, I can send thee
  more in future of thou wants, as I had 1000 printed, they cost only
  6 cents a pc wch I mention that if thou should sell any (wch I dont suppose
  will be the case)thou may be able to know the value; for as to my own
  part, I desire thy acceptance of them, as I will have nothing for them.
                                                       or 
  if thou can make any use of my little Carriage in thy^proposed visit
  to the Northward do use it, & if it fails I should like to have the
  worn Springs, the Iron part of the Axeltrees & harness returned, but
                      it
  if thou does not need^ may send it pr Gideon on deck.
  the Ship Jefferson arrived here yesterday direct fm Milford, left our Childrn
  & relatives in tolerable health, Eliza had not then heard of the death of her
  mother, nor recd my letter mentioning the probability of it. Benh
  expresses (for the first time that I can recollect) his great desire to return
  to America, but cannot under some time wind up his affairs. we are
  in general favour'd with health. Elisha Thornton Jr & wife, a young daughter
  of Humphrey Russell,lays apparently near her close, put to bed I believe
  about a week since, was finely for several days, when she took a heavy cold,
  wch will probably and in her dissolution. Our beloved frd W Crotch
  intended leaving Providence last 3d day for Boston, Lynn & Salem