Jacob Atkinson letter to Thomas Rotch, Wheeling, February 25, 1819

              A-40-18 
              Wheeling (Va) Feby 25, 1819
  Friend Rotch, 
                We have not had the pleasure
  of hearing from you for some time. We
  are as usual in a great pinch for ways
  & means. We extend our business rather too
  much & thereby embarass ourselves without
  I fear, a consequent equivalent profit.
  Have you sold thou cloths so as to be able
  to assist us any. I assure you we are very
  much plagued.  If possible give us an equal
  chance to hear from yourself.  While you are
  braced by a [illegible] as firm as Mt Atlas, how
  can you behold us shaken like a reed by
  the storms of adversity?  Why has nearly two
  years past without any efficient result to us?
  I do sincerely wish to now why there should be
  so much delay & turmoil about a little word
  or a few cloths? I have always spoken the truth
  without disguise to you altho I know it was
  disagreeable but it is a right I will forever
  exercise. Do let us hear from you soon.
      I am very respectfully yours
                               J. Atkinson