B-302-1
New Bedford 2nd mo 7th 1802
I sent thee a hasty scrawl by post last 4th day,but
having a direct conveyance by the return of Francis Bunker, intend
gratifying myself again, even if I should surprise thee my dear
sister by the swiftly succeeding messengers of my affection-
such they are, however irregular their form, and being dictated by
me
its prevailing influence, has often induced^ to feel indifferent to
their Garb fully believing, that the same love will charitably
veil their imperfections while you peruse them---
Francis informed me that dear Silas was still with you, and I
hope soon to receive from thee some further particulars of his
visit, for I feel an inexpressible interest in all your concerns
of that Nature- You are probably now on your way to Nine=
=partners, where I most sincerely hope you will experience some=
=thing adequate to the fatigue of the Journey, and even if suf=
=fering should be the portion assigned, should it be attended with
the evidence that it is of the right kind perhaps you may
return with a precious degree of peace, remembering that our
heavenly father hath declared where I am there shall my Servant
be also ---I apprehend you have been often ready to ask a
word or two respecting an important subject now under the
consideration of a beloved branch of our family- to which I cannot
reply that any conclusive opinion is yet formed- it is evident=
=ly a thing of serious magnitude in his mind, and most sincerely do
I wish the decision may be right. My judgment in any case I
know to be of little value, and far oftener ill directed than otherwise;
consequently on this subject I should be more liable to err than
almost any other, since my attachment to the dearest Object that
binds me to Earth will not admit of my willingly resigning
her even to the best of Men As I know you are deeply interested
in all that occurs shall venture to tell you without her leave that a
paper messenger was lately enclosed to Brs Wm from this our frd
written in a manner adapted to the occasion but expressing no wish
to urge a favorable issue further than Superior Wisdom may
language
appoint- This ^ you will readily suppose is what might be expressed
from him, but I believe she is disposed to be influence by nothing
