Samuel Rodman letter to Thomas Rotch, Nantucket 8 m 18 1793

              A-302-21
page 1

Dear Thomas                              Nantucket 8 mo 18 1793
           I observe by a few pencil lines handed me & Parker this afternoon, the price of the bread, is or will be 18/6 if good & in casks. I suppose it to be as low as we shall be able to get it, but as I did not see Seth Cartwright after I wrote thee yesterday & Jno Hussey has just arrived from Phila I can better decide by next packet-about taking it, & how much as we shall be governed in the quantity by the route of the Ship.   I have been unwell a day or two, too much so yesterday to think much of business & did not see Brock after I wrote to thee, shall endeavor if as well as I hope to be, to see him tomorrow & decide whether he goes or not.  Wm has wrote me of yesterdays date for 10 lbs Beef - I suppose he did not know of the 8 sent. If parker does not go in the morning before I can get it carted, shall send two more, altho I have no more left, say 24 lbs than what the Canton will need if she goes round the Cape. I have only opened one bl of this beef at the store, found it in good order, but in want of salt for keeping, altho I desired Parsons & Son to pickle it some months ago & put it in a state of preservation for two years Yoyages. I shall to morrrow have what I have left seen to. I have sold all of the 100 lbs except those now mentioned, & having heard no complaint, I suppose it all to be good. Please to let me know what Peleg Howland concludes about the Cask in consequence of what I last wrote thee.  Our little S has been much unwell about a week, seems a little better, but if the very warm coninues as he is now cutting teeth, if may prove too much for him should