W.R. Dickinson letter to Charity Rotch, Steubenville Novr 4th 1813

               
  B-242-4
  Thursday Evening     Steubenville Novr 4th 1813
  my dear friend Charity Rotch,
                    on yesterday evening, I received
  from Robert Richie the poor old Ewe which excited my
  concern so much when I last saw you - you will
  discover by Roberts letter that an accident happened to
  her most unavoidably indeed - I have tared and
  greased the wound - have taken the utmost care, and
  shall continue to treat her as tenderly as if she were
  an infant - she has reached me in very low
  condition but in good heart seemingly - as to the
  wound, from the attention which I shall pay her, I have
  no doubt that I shall cure it - but still I fear that
  this may be a prelude tot some other accident-
  - I confess frankly to you that my sensibility, con-
  -sidering how very precise my friend T.R. and Myself
  were on the occasion, has been much excited - she
  may die - she may be stolen - in fine a thousand
  things may happen  - it is doubtful too that
  shall [illegible] have a lamb- under these
  views, and feeling as I do, I frankly beg you
  as my friend to request your Husband to set
  a price on the sheep, which I shall not hesitate
  to give - I beg him as my friend to do so-
  - then all difficulties will be over; need
  I tell you and my friend Thomas how many diffi-
  culties and unpleasant feelings may be avoided
  by this course?  notwithstanding the long article