Letter addressed from Huntingdon, PA, with a stamped postmark and the date written in in pen, for 25 cents postage. The paper is torn and stained with red wax residue where it was sealed. William Gay Butler writes to his father Jonathan Butler in West Hartford about his business since his business partner John Boyd left Hartford. He writes that Jason Wells is staying with them and all are in good health, although William's wife Mary has had a headache for several days. William made inquiries and found that John Boyd would encounter legal troubles on his way through Chambersburg, due to unpaid accounts from his former business partnership. William met him there and helped him avoid any payments or bail. He spent $500 on 8600 lbs of goods, making two loads including spirits, wine, fish, dye, wood, coffee, sugar, etc. The goods were worth $600 or $700 and he paid all but $150 purchased from Mr. Hancock. After selling the goods in Baltimore, he loaded his wagon with flour and butter to pay the difference and then dissolved his partnership with Boyd, on February 15. He is now authorized to collect money due to their firm, amounting to $2000 or more. On March 7, William removed from Williamsburg, PA, to Warrior's Mark, in Huntingdon County, where he has started a new store. He lives in an attached room and is running the tavern; his license was granted that day. They are in a good settlement and between two ironworks furnaces. William says he has sold near $1000 worth of goods to the workers there already. Mary makes bonnets to sell, and will take on a girl to assist her and learn the craft. A young man named Abraham tends the store, although he is visiting home for two weeks. Boyd was arrested the previous Monday morning, and William bailed him out for $500, and he appeared as ordered that morning. William says Boyd will be obliged to give up his property, being unable to pay, but William assures Jonathan he still expects to collect $1000 from the company debts. He plans to use the money collected to buy a load of iron to take to Baltimore. He will make up his mind whether to go next to Baltimore or to Connecticut, and if he does not visit West Hartford will send Jonathan a draft. He writes that he has asked for an extension on a payment of $2000, but has not received an answer yet. He has about $6800 or $7000 worth of property on hand, and no claims against him except for Jonathan's. He writes that though he remains unfortunate in business he hopes to be able to make a living. The postmaster of Warrior's Mark is boarding with them, and William expects he will resign and give the post to William. William received a letter from his sister Maria and her husband George Wells in Ohio, and heard from his brother Epaphras Butler that he plans to join them in Ohio that fall. He received a letter from Dundaff with news of Aunt Gay's death. In closing, William urges Jonathan and Aunt Rhoda James to visit him and Mary that spring, and notes they are 125 miles west of Epaphras.
