William Brown letter to Thomas Rotch, Nantucket 6 mo 7th 1794

              A-77-5
page 1
 Dear Cousin                             Nantucket 6 mo 7th 1794
                        Thine of 2nd inst I recd - have made all the Enquriy & obtained all the information that can be had here respecting the Coopers lay- Capt Long cannot recollect that it was expressed in the Portage Bill different from the other Hands, tho' he says he was up & heard it read over several times, neither does he believe any differance was made, that to him & Thads it appears a great inconsistancy that B.R. should agree upon a livre pr Bll in Specie, when the Coopers family was there upon the Spot & when they Sail'd had no expectation but to return there.  we however upon confering fully on the subject; think it will be best to propose settling with him at the common lay with this proviso, that when the real truth is ascertaind it shall be rectified, otherwise to leave the whole for B.R. to settle at his return to Dunkirk. 
    As to the purchase of the Hnads shares here, Thads seems surprized than should now be at any less, as he did not incline to tke a step untill he wrote thee & obtained thy answer, which was that thou had rather some others should purchase them. he therefore expected them to sell to the highest bidder, & finally concluded to take it himself. 
     Seeing this is the Case I apprehend the statement thou proposes sending will not stand right; as I accept it, in the windg up of the Voyage. T Swain will be accountable for what he recd & W R S for the remainder so that what each has more than their proportion, is to be returned in Gallons.
      If thou hast not already been ifnormed, think it may not be