John R. Bedford letter to Thomas Rotch, Nashville, Tennessee, July 25th 1813

              A-62-1
page 1

Mr Thomas Roche         Nashville Tennesee July 25th 1813
       Dear Sir, 
                        When in New York last Spring, Mr James Sheppard of Northampton in Massachusetts informed me of your having emigrated from Hartford in Connecticut, with a considerable flock of merino Sheep, to Kentucky or Ohio, which he did not particularly know. He informed me, that your sheep have descended direcly & exclusively from the Paulor Flock, which was deemed the best Flock in Spain. In consideration of which and your greater civinity, than East of the Allegany, he advised me to apply to you for a few Breeders. Only five days ago, I had the satisfaction to ascertain your residence by means of a Pittsburgh Almanack, which i was amusing myself with in the absence of other books in a remote country situation where I happened.  
             I wish to purchase from six to ten or fifteen full blooded ewes of your clock, if the price you would ask me be moderate & reasonable. I would wish them to be every way equal to the best in your flocks & and in lamb by one of your best Rams before driving which may very consistently be the case. As October is perhaps the best month to drive in, It isi also very probable that  would wish to get one or two likely Rams for one or two friends in Madison County Mississippi Territory, which is about 120 miles south of this place. 
   I wish particularly to ask the kindness of you to write to me, the most favorable terms upon which you can afford to sell me the number of sheep before specified, or about that number.