Dear Doctor,

In one of my letters to you I mentioned sending you the amt. due Bush & Shepard on the 23 of the present month--I expected it of my Father Blanchard--and as a person from the place where he resides was here a short time since was to have called on returning to him and carried a letter I have delayed to send expecting daily to have such opportunity shall now send by mail--He sent me word the money was ready $250. and that he would send it to Buffalo as soon as I hear of its reaching Buffalo I will send you the draft. Mr. Blanchard is in Huron Co. Ohio.

I read your last--We have altered our Patterns--We think the Wheels must now stand--have not had a sufficient trial to know--hope to sell most of our machines if no further bad fortune attends us--all the care you mention in moulding was exercised--save the oper. Never cleaned the sand out of the Eye after taking off the cope. Iron has arrived from Rochester in 2 Lots first about 1 Ton=2 about two Tons and Three Tons from Ogdensburgh--on the last Three Tons which was carried across to Prescott and entered they charged us duty at 5 per ct--Thay [sic] do not charge us duty at this port--Thay have said there was no duty--but they may now alter their opinions--We have work enough at present--Cannot tell now how it may turn but I hope to bring about the year and save something if not I shall be discouraged.

Iron enough--but no coal yet you will of course purchase no more Iron this year.

John Fisher¹

¹ John Knox Fisher, Dr. Calvin McQuesten's first cousin and business partner, had difficulty working with co-founder Mr. [Joseph] Janes and was often concerned about the man's methods of conducting business. In 1838, Janes ran off, leaving behind his wife and thousands of dollars of debt. See W-MCP4-6.237. For more on Fisher, see W-MCP5-6.240.