Samuel R. Fisher letter to Thomas Rotch, Philadelphia 4 mo 20th 1812

              B-59-6
page 1

Dear Brother                         Philadelphia 4 mo 20th 1812

            Having often contemplated my own advanced & advancing age & the necessary duty, incumbent on me, if I may be so favored to be in Earnest Rather to draw in than to extend my concerns, I thought it would be better for me, to address thee again, on the subject of my allotting $1000- to be invested by thee in Land in the State of Ohio, under thy direction for the use of my wife which I have written to thee several times about & only two days past, repeated the same to thee, Yet as in everything I have ever said or written to thee thereon, there has been one clear thing evident, that only in condescention to the solicitation of my wife, everything was marked with my own Reluctance & wish to have no concern at such a distance to create trouble to some person after me, and also looking at thy varied Cares, which surround thee, in thy new Undertakings sufficient to occupy all thy time & attention in which thou mayst rest assured I wish thee to be guided & dirested to thy own Peace & Comfort, most assuredly every way, & that thy mind may find a Center, unshaken to rest upon. Besides that tis not worth my while, to be looking at such  a distance to the purchase of Land, for the sake of gain to myself, my wife or Children, which with the divine blessing, on my Concerns at & near home, I have enough of that, which comes daily almost to Claim my attention & my being Concerned in Ohio Land has never at any time felt pleasant to my mind.   Yet I thought I might, under the idea of its being my wife's separate property, be more easy but as even this, has often resoled in my mind, without any sense of the Rectitude thereof, I hope thou will excuse my freedom herein for the ease of my mind, & consider that my best wishes, will accompany thee & Sister, with an uninterrupted Course. If I may be excused from having even under Color of it being my wife's property, any connection in landed property in Ohio, Repeating my sincere good wishes & with much love to thee & Sister, I remain, Thy affectionte Brother, Samuel R Fisher
What services thou mayest have occasion for, of me, will be done Cheerfully here.