DEAR BOB: This comes hopin' to find you well, as it leaves me safe
anchored here yester arternoon. Voyge short an' few squalls. Hopes to
find old father stout, and am out of pigtail.
Sight o' pigtail at Gravesend but unfortinately unfit for a dog to
chor. I send this by Capt'n's boy, and buy me pound best pigtail and
let it be good--best at 7 diles (Dials), sign of black boy, and am
short of shirts--only took two, whereof one is wored out and tother
most.
Capt'n's boy loves pigtail, so tie it up when bort an' put in his
pocket. Aint so partick'ler about the shirts as present can be washed,
but be sure to go to 7 diles sign of Black boy and git the pigtail as
I haint had a cud to chor since thursday. Pound'll do as I spect to be
up tomorrow or day arter. an' remember the pigtail--so I am your
lovin' brother
Tom ----.
P. S. dont forget the pigtail.