Boston March 2nd [overwritten to] 3rd 1811 Mr. Fletcher We this day received your letter from Philaa and are very much pleased to hear that you had arrived safe, though not that you are very much fatigued. I shd not have written but you wish to know how business is. It is far better than we can expect. We have taken since you have been absent over Seventy five Dolrs, on an average, per day. We have also recd of Capt Welles, the amnt of his bill. Here I will inform you that his seal which we recd a few days after your departure from Brown is engraved wrong -- A. W. is engd instead of T. W. Capt W. has returned it and has made choice of a similar pattern, larger. I have this day forwarded it to Brown with the right cypher for Titus Welles. We have made some excellent sales since you have been gone that we have not yet got the cash for yet, but it is sure, we are like to furnish T. Cook with as many Goods, I hope, as we have Capt Welles. He has already Bought many articles, etc – And--and--and we have sold that large diamond and Pearl Pin to Genl King – at a price something less than what Mr. G's modesty required for it, however he refused positively first and let the Genl go away the first time he offered it, but Mr. McF* was certain that he shd return as he shd tell him that he might take it at that and on his return Mr. G. was kind enough to "let him take it" – But no more of this long story without the Price which was only One Hundred & Seventy Five dols. This is not included in our retail Sales. We have made no large Sales in the retail line, but are wholly made up of small sales. Wm Hall Junr has been down and paid $50 on his note, although not due, and purchased to the amnt of One Hundred & odd Dolrs – note at 90 days. I have written to Messrs Elliot & Butterfield requesting them to forward the Amnt of their note in a polite manner. The Key Business is all quiet & I hope asleep never to wake. We are now about even with respect to borrowed Money as we have paid all but about $100 & we have enough and more than to pay that. Tomorrow I must pay Yr & McF's Tax Bills. We have not yet paid Halliday. I wish you would inform us about Hyde's note because I don't see how Mr. Higginson can renew it. Yours dutifully Baldwin P. S. Mrs. V. wishes me to tell you that she wrote to you on Thursday & that she is better now than she was then & although she has not yet been down stairs. All the representatives have gone away now & Mr. Fales has been gone ever since you have. We have recd letters from Dyer all is well in that part. We have recd letters from Mr. Thos. Fletcher & Mr. James F– also – all well. Wishing you return as soon as you can I remain Yours Obediently Baldwin Gardiner * John McFarlane | 
