William Rotch Jr. letter to Thomas Rotch, New Bedford, 8 mo 12 1801

              A-306-9
page 1
                                   New Bedford 1 mo 19, 1808
My dear brother
                                It seems very long since we have had any intercourse of this kind, I wrote thee last summer or in the 9th mo perhaps but never knew thou recd the letter, that informed thee of my having shipped the Barclays Oil proposing for thee to have thy interest in it, but as Ithou has never wrote me, I conclude it was not approved, if not I am quite satisfied to take it to myself as I settled the Voyage at $85 pr Ton, which was higher than any sold last summer and wish it to be just as was thy inclination & choice at the time thou received my letter- The Ontario which acarried the Oil for Rotterdam was detained in England from 9 mo 25 to 11 mo 10th, was cleared by the court of admiralty & the Captors appealed. When I heard last the Cargo had not been appraised to give bonds that she might be released. I daily hope to hear of her arrival at Rotterdam. The Barclay has had a heavy expence in repairing more than 1000 days work upon her, now nearly done. I dismissed the Carpenters in 12h mo & expect for $100 to have her now done. If I do not conclude to send her to West Greenland in 3 mo propose for her to sail in the 4th mo for Pacific Ocean. Do write me how I shall consider the Oil, either way will be satisfactory to me.