John Wells letter to Thomas Rotch, Hartford, 11 Mo 13 1819

              A-361-14
page 1

                                   Hartford 11 Mo 13, 1819
 Esteemed friend
     Thy favor of 10 mo ult came duly to hartford. i was then absent but recd it on my return. Since then I hava attended Quarterly meeting. My other concerns have been of so different a nature, taht I have felt unwilling to mix them with these which have been so long perplexing me. I have examined thy schedule, All the rents that were paid, were embraced in Geo Stanley a/c also the Blacksmith work, attended to in thy letter. I have Guy Benjamans note for 15 dol and a charge on my book of 50. for 2 1/2 years rent. He is at work on a road (as Been informed) in Ohio
    I have in your former letter, expressed a belief that the Rollers have been settled between us. But the mention of a commission on the purchase of these & screws of about 12 dol had led me to look at the commissions I have recd. Viz on stack NO 1 $32.23 ; on stack No 2 $36.02, on stack NO 3 $23.21, On do No 4 $88.85.  & on do No 5 $162.20. Making $322.52.  This is all that has been considered in any a/c for the care adn trouble of about 13 years I very well remember thy first proposal of five pr cent, for doing the business. This would amount ot, Eight or Nine hundred dollars. And I can state it with the fullest persuasion that it would have been better for me to have allowed thee to the amount of $1500 & kept my self in my business.  This is not a new view of it, but I have hoped the consideration would find a place in thy mind. In buildings and repairing I changed my labour, but a thousand little attentions [illegible] etc etc were not charged. I believe it to be obvious to any one that five pr cent on the whole business would be low enough