Thomas Pim Cope Letters to Thomas Rotch Regarding Zoar and the Quakers

              [corresponds to page 1 of Thomas Pim Cope Letter to Thomas Rotch, February 6, 1818] 
Philada: 2d mo  6th  1818 
Thos Rotch  & 
Geo  Brantingham 
Respected Friends, 
Your Letter of the 17th Ulto 
to Saml. Bettle & Thos P. Cope came duly to hand, & we are 
sensible to the friendly motives which induced  you to 
give us the information therein contained, and it may 
probably be useful to State, for the information of friends 
in your neighbourhood, who have felt interested for 
the welfare of the German Separatists, the reasons that 
induced a number of friends in this City to notice and 
aid them- 
Letters were recd here from 
London, before their arrival, giving an account of their 
professed principles, & informing that the sympathy of 
Friends there had been excited by a Statement given 
by one of their number, who had been in that City & 
had an interview with some friends there-other 
information, which appeared to corroborate this account 
was received about the same time, stating further, 
that the benevolent feelings of individuals had 
induced them to raise, by subscription, for the use 
of these people, about lb 300, which it was requested 
might be drawn for & applied for their benefit.  It 
was also desired that friends here would notice these 
strangers, & render them such assistance as, on their 
arrival in this country, might appear necessary & 
proper.  They arrived in this City, about 250 in number 
on the 15th of the 8th month last- and in a conference 
which was then had by a few friends with some of 
them, in order to be informed of their future prospects 
& views , they stated that they had no plan agreed 
on, & professed to place implicit confidence in friends 
& much desired their council & advice.  They also mentioned 
that before they left their country, & during the voyage 
they had, after many consultations, united in the 
conclusion, that if lands could be had, they would 
form their settlement in Pennsylvania.    As they 
were on board ship at the public wharf & the weather very 
warm, humanity required that they should be speedily 
removed to a more comfortable situation.  A number of 
friends were immediately assembled, & after hearing the 
Letters of recommendation, it was concluded, by those that 
met, to separate some of their number to extend such 
care to the newly arrived as their circumstances might 
require- & according fifteen friends were appointed for 
that purpose.  At this meeting it was particularly requested 
that friends would not speak of these people, to their 
fellow citizens, as belonging to our Religious Society, as 
they were strangers, & might hold opinions with which 
we could not unite. 
The Committee forthwith 
procured a commodious build, eligibly situated, & had 
the whole of the strangers removed to it- sub committees