William Rotch, Sr. to Thomas Rotch, London 2nd mo 26th 1793

               B-163-24
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                                                      London 2nd mo 26th 1793
My dear Son Thomas
                            I believe I have not wrote thee since I recd two from thee, perhaps by L Coffin & B Glover, but I cannot refer to the duty, having left them at Dunkirk; though perhaps I might make reply to them in a letter I wrote thee some time ago to go by Wm Handy, who I left at Dunkirk & whether, gone yet I cannot tell. If thou can improve the money which thou art yet to have to make up the sum I proposed furnishing thee with, say Six hund Stg, either in the American funds on Intrest provided the 6 pr Ct are not above par, or in any toher way, I wish thee to draw it; though if thou last a competency for a moderate trade, I cannot advise to embark it in that way, as it must probably ultimately be in the oil way, which must depend on France for a Market, and the paper being now so much depreciated, and good not rising in proportion, that it must [illegible] but a low price, but thou may place it on Interest perhaps to earn something whereas it is now doing nothing. Our property in Dunkirk seems to lay rather in a precarious manner, what the insuring Spring and Summer will produce, is difficult even to hazard a conjecture, but if this place should escape a seige, I hope all will remain safe untill a more favourable market appears; but my dear son we have daily to see that there is no stability in any sublumary enjoyments, nor in any thing short of that everlasting foundation and Rock of Ages, against which nothing can prevail and as I believe thy mind that been in some measure led to see the uncertainty of every thing mutable, hold fast what thou hast