William Rotch, Sr. letter to Thomas Rotch, New Bedford 5th mo 19 1818

               
   B-163-54
                                       New Bedford 5th mo 19 1818
  My dear Son,
              it is long since we have heard from thee,  I have midlaid thy
  last letter therefore cannot refer to the date, nor make reply to any part of it
  required it, as I do not recollect its contents, Humphry Davis Jr gave me such
  particulars as I enquir'd,so far as came to his knowledge, his father & family I believe
  are desirous of removing near you, but no prospect while his wifes mother lives, being
                                                                        also
  very weakly, & not able to bear such a journey, otherwise I suppose they would be willing
  to go.  I apprehend thou last long since heard of Morris Berkbeck & George=
  Flower having pitch'd their tents in the Illinois, between Great & Little Wabash,
  he, (Morris) publish'd his journal, beginning a little before they reach'd the Capes
  of Virginia, it is an interesting publication, abundance of wealthy Farmers, &
  other rich families are preparing, & probably a number on their passage to join him;
  worth from 10 to pds 50,000 Stg. I expect they will make a rich Colony; two of
  thy Brother Benjs Sons its probable may now be near New York or Boston,Franl.
(the eldest & Wm about 15,they intended to sail from Liverpool or Cork fm the 10th to 15th
 of last month for one of those places(N York B) with a view of joining Morris,
  I have a letter from Frances in London 3d mo 11th, we have lodg'd letters fm him in
  both places; Frans,has wrote to Morris to reserve or procure him two sections, & Benj
  has wrote him for tow more, I suppose intending to follow, but not immediately,
  perhaps after his Ship Charles arrives which may not be less than two years,
  I have lodg'd friends in Abrm Barkers Hands to meet Morris's draft for the first
  payment for the four Sections,I suppose I have inform'd thee before, on his giving up
     to           & they                                                            upon
  all^his Creditors, ^kindly gave him his furniture,which they have been selling&living^ 
                                                            purpose, 
  with what I could send them from time to time for the same^pds 400 kg in the whole
                                                                             is all