going on the Boat as Clerk, offered the whole controul of the buisness part of the Boat, & no divident to be made until the opened & we shd return and settle with you, but this to no purpose, When on the eve of complying, even with his stern comand, then I was informed by that a firm here had a claim sent from the Foundry at for castings & shaft before we left of $179. on which they had a colateral to be sued on if any change shd. take place on the Boat. I informed of this. I sent a friend to negociate with him to become equally interested with me and do the best we could until we should return, that I would acc[oun]t to you for whatever difference might be at the same rate since it could <​not​> be ascertained until we settled. but in return I was answered that would accept of no proposition short of the comand of the Boat altho she shd. be sacrificed, and unless I comply’d that day, in the morning he would positively take the Boat from me &c. and in view of all these facts (for facts they are every assertion susceptible of positive proof.) what should I have done, what else could I have done under these circumstances? could I have had yr. advise, you would doub[t]less <​have​> referred me to that first and fundamental principle in the Law of Nature, which is also an attribute in Nature’s God, a duty I owe my wife & children, I mean self pre!! To this last resource I have been ultimately driven by the above conduct. But Oh. how shall I satisfy and thoroughly convi[nce] you & yr. worthy family, that I have no guile in my heart. no disposition but what will compare with strict equity and justice, if to the contrary I fain wd. invoke the powers above to reveal it to you & deal with me according to my conduct in the whole affair. But this I hope suffice for not writing since I left . & I shall take it a favor if you will please write an answer I shall come up myself then if they deem it best for the Boat to remain here will probably find fault with my proceedings, & yet twas the only that could be pursued, for he cant cannot raise funds to liquidate her; or to run her, the gentleman whom I have put in my place is a monied man, a good Boatman who will doubtless make money with her, & as he told me today will advance for what may fall on his part. & give him a good situation, when he could not otherwise have saved himself. I do not apprehend any difficulty, nor have I doubt that you & me have misunderstood each other, but at any rate, I shall be ready to do what is right by man to man. I shall write again in answer to y[ou]rs. if I dont come up before