Silas Downing letter to Thomas Rotch, Cedarswamp Oysterbay Ttwonship Long Island, State of New York, 12th mo 5th 1814

              B-51-14
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          Cedarswamp Oysterbay Township Long island, State of N York 12th mo 5th 1814
Beloved Friends
T & C R
         A few days past I received dear Charity's of 10th mo last, which was very acceptable as was dear Thos's some months past, it is very agreeable to us all to hear from you as it has been much so to me, and my Phebe, for a number of years past, adn hope it mahy continue so, tho so far separated which will no doubt be the case if we continue to abide in the feeling enjoyment of that which unites into the one body then, tho far separated from one another as to the body, we are frequently made near, and have fellwoship, mutual fellwoship with one antoher in the everlasting covenants, I pereived by dear C's lines you are not without, the noise and commotion with which this great Country, and many others experience, of Wars and rumous of Wars, and to her Query how we in this land fare, I may inform that we ahvenot felt much as yet as a religious soiety, but it looks as tho the storm was gathering which would occasion much more trials of this kind than have yet fallen to our lott, how long it may be permitted for the murderous weapons to be used in the borders of our country, is among the uncertainties and probably the longer, the greater sufferings and trials may be, dear Charity intimates something about your yearly Meeting and of our being there at some time may say that however peasant such an interview with you, & other friend might be, it dont appear very probable, that we shall ever see so far from our presant abode, unless our Sons should be mindfull of a change of theirs, times appear gloomy on almost all hands. Inward by as also outwardly, in Church and State many trials attend, a great want of that love and harmony so consoling to the feeling mind, very much wanting among