William Barker Letter to Thomas Rotch Regarding Sheep

              [Page 1]

[corresponds to page 1 of William Barker Letter to Thomas Rotch Regarding Sheep]

		       New York 10 mo. 22nd  1814
	  
Thomas Rotch
	              Respected Friend

	In consequence of the
	  
present precarious State of Commerce, & the many
	 
difficulties attending Commercial pursuits, I have
	 
nearly concluded to winde up my business here
	  
& remove to the Country with a determination
	  
to try Agriculture, with my friend John
	  
Minturne who has concluded to become my
	  
associate, & altho we have not yet determin-
	  
=ed where to settle- the advantages which
	  
the State of Ohio presents has claimed con-
	  
=siderable of our attention--We therefore
	  
take the liberty of requesting thy advise &
	  
some information on the subject- knowing
	  
thy disposition & ability to give it.
	                 
	We propose to devote most
	  
of our attention to raising of Merino Sheep