Alexander Skinner letter to Thomas Rotch, Hartford, 5 Mo 11th 1812

               
  B-177-6
                           Hartford 5th Mo 11th 1812
  You will be surprised no doubt my Dear Friends
  at the recpt of this by Charles, because I have allways
  untill quite lately thought he would stay in this
  part of the Country untill next fall and believe I
  informed you to that effect in my last letter,but
  since that, finding he was much inclined to go out now
  and that his encouragement to stay here was not worth
  what his services might be, to us, there, during the summer. I
  thought it best on the whole for him to go now as he will
  
  have the company of Doct. [illegible] most or all the way.
   I am exceeding uneasy at being detained so long here
  and have done all in my power to get away before now
  but could not with all my exertions Charles can explain
  the reason why, to you, and if I ever get through
  with these perplexing Clothiers, I shall never engage in
  any woolen concern where the Cloth cannot be finished
  under my immediate instruction. Could I have been in
  New York 4 or 5 weeks ago with our Cloth well finished
  it probely would have sold at Auction for more
  than I have sold some of it here, it is now probely too
  late in the Spring to sell them to advertize them, shel
  leave the finist of them in N York or Phila I am in great
  hopes to get away from here this week, part of my
       is on board the vessele
  bagage^ with a small Chest of Gunpoweder Tea and 60 lb
  Coffee and some glue bring the Amt of Ballence
  Due TR in groceries from Wm H Imley etc which
  I hope will prove sattisfactory.