My Dear M^r B/
Had I thought a letter from me woud
have been acceptable last night there had been
one at your service, but it struck me that
a nights reflection might make things appear
more in my favor, I {^therefore} concluded to let it alone
till today. We got safe to Bolton about 4 ^oClock
after a very cold ride & found all our friends
tolerably well. I hope you & the children continue
so. If you have got the Tincture of bark, you
may take 2 tea spoonful twice a day, but
Uncle P thinks the powder better if you will
give {^it} a trial; I shall send you some on
tuesday made up in the proper quantity
to take at a time which I woud have you
take punctually twice a day [deleted]. I shall
esteem it a favor if you will send for one
[new page]
on thursday but I really don’t think it fit for
my Fathers horses to come & go on the same day
therefore if they can’t come & stay all the
night, I shall look out for a return, which
will perhaps be safe if the Driver be sober.
Be kind enough to tell Mamma that
Betty was ingag’d when we got here, to M^r
Fletchers & present our respects to them. My Uncle
S, P & cousins join in the same to you {?requesting}
your acceptance of mine sincerely
I remain
your very affectionate
Wife R Bateman
Bolton
Nov^r 17 1792
[new page]
M^r Tho^s Bateman
Levers Row
Manchester
[accounts are noted on the wrapper in pencil]

My Dear M^r B/
Had I thought a letter from me woud
have been acceptable last night there had been
one at your service, but it struck me that
a nights reflection might make things appear
more in my favor, I {^therefore} concluded to let it alone
till today. We got safe to Bolton about 4 ^oClock
after a very cold ride & found all our friends
tolerably well. I hope you & the children continue
so. If you have got the Tincture of bark, you
may take 2 tea spoonful twice a day, but
Uncle P thinks the powder better if you will
give {^it} a trial; I shall send you some on
tuesday made up in the proper quantity
to take at a time which I woud have you
take punctually twice a day [deleted]. I shall
esteem it a favor if you will send for one
[new page]
on thursday but I really don’t think it fit for
my Fathers horses to come & go on the same day
therefore if they can’t come & stay all the
night, I shall look out for a return, which
will perhaps be safe if the Driver be sober.
Be kind enough to tell Mamma that
Betty was ingag’d when we got here, to M^r
Fletchers & present our respects to them. My Uncle
S, P & cousins join in the same to you {?requesting}
your acceptance of mine sincerely
I remain
your very affectionate
Wife R Bateman
Bolton
Nov^r 17 1792
[new page]
M^r Tho^s Bateman
Levers Row
Manchester
[accounts are noted on the wrapper in pencil]