Sarah Rotch Arnold letter to Charity Rotch, New Bedford, 9th month 18th 1806

              B-233-4 
 
	   New Bedford  9th month 18th  1806
     Thy letter my endeared aunt is must received,
containing the solemn intelligence, of the departure
of our highly esteemed & deservedly valued friend, NCT;
in whose exit there seems abundantly more cause
for rejoicing than regretting, since it is without
doubt a happy release for her.  For her whose
purity was too manifest to beholders, to admit
                                   above
    A doubt of her preparation to soar in the
lofty, mansions of the blessed.  She was indeed
a sweet companion, & the little time, I shared
her company, served to inspire me with senti-
ments of the tenderest affection for her.
   The fondness for thee & her peculiar sufferings
made so deep an impression upon thy mind my
                                 served
dear Aunt, that I always thought it^ to prevent
in no small degree thy reestablishment to health
as thy exertions on her account were more than
thy constitution was able to support & such as
were often very improper, I believe, for that
weakness at the stomach, which has so long
afflicted thee. & I hope this release, although
afflicting to a heart so nearly united, as thine
was, to hers, will prove productive of real good,
not only by enabling thee to bestow the