Samuel Rodman letter to Thomas Rotch, Nantucket 9 mo 3 1793

               
  B-153-3
  Dear Thomas                Nantucket 9 mo 3 1793
                   Not having any Answer from thee
  & the two last opportunities which the packet came, leaves
  me at a loss to know what articles for the Canton are to
  be furnished here, having procur'd every other article that I
  recollect to be necessary. Some of those I have mention'd
  can be had here, but if to be had upon the same terms
  at Bedford, they would save the freight & trouble of transport
  ation. particularly Pork., potatoes, the latter have been 
  sold here for 2/, some of Sam Russells sending, Onions. this
  I want soon to know about as it may be necessary to 
  get them from Barnstable, as they are not always to be
  had at the Wharf.  Most of the rest will now
  go. - they would have gone before, but Parker went so late
  in the day that they did not get seasonable knowledge.
       Several articles are also sent. Such as the Ship can
  accomodate previous to her water's being stow'd - the rest will
  be sent as fast as they are wanted - We get no fur=
  ther acct of the sickness prevailing Phila - Francis
  Barkers Sloop is not yet permitted to come to the Wharf.
     Our little Son contines much as when I last
  wrote, no material alteration any way - his sickness 
  proves wearing to my Wife, who is also unwell 0- as are
  many people here at this time - Sister Sarah men=
  tions, the influenzas prevailing in Phila, her date is the 20th
  Ult. ~ the Acct from New York of the plague in Phil was
  as late as the 28th - Our packet folks frequently bring
  us undigested news, wch they can't themselves explain - Allen
  says he heard all about Bedford, that one of our Ships
  from the Coast of Peru was captured. If such an acct
  prevailed there with any ground of belief - I should have been 
  glad to have had advice of it - Circumstances contradict or
  render it improbable from the Acct I had of the Hope's being
  with 70 ton on that Coast about 5 mo since, with plenty of pro
  vision s & men in health & no intention of suddenly coming away
  Adieu                                thy affec bro
                                          S Rodman