Mary R. Morton letter to Charity Rotch, Newport, 1st 12th mo 1797

              B-273-2
  
                      Newport 1st 12th mo, 1797
   My Dear Cousin
                   Thy truly acceptable, tho very affecting letter,
  I recieved, & read in our little domestic circle, where it excited
  the throb of tender sympathy in hearts allied to your, & in uni-
-son with them on the subject of your present anxiety.  But 
tho' the sympathy of friendship is a cordial in sorrow, yet
I believe we have all found by experience, that there is but
one essential unfailing source of strength & consolation- that
Strong tower which has ever been a Refuge & Safe Hiding
place to all who have fled to it in Faith of its sufficiency,
& from a sense of the inefficiency of every inferiour support.
It is a comfort to us to believe that you are acquainted
with this resort, & favored with its sacred shelter.  May all
thy dear Mothers sufferings be mitigated, & the last conflict
rendered easy by the sensible enjoyment of it: Such was the
peacefull exit of her excellent sister.  We have  agreeable to
thy request been endeavoring to recollect the particulars of
Cousin Howlands last illness, I think she was afflicted with
the swelling in her face & limbs for many weeks (I think
some months) before her close  - and for a considerable
time her bowels were afflicted in the same manner, & she was
troubled with a shortness of breath.  She did not suffer much
acute pain, but great uneasiness & distress, and was favored
with a remarkably quiet & easy passage.  This will be a
winter of great anxiety with poor Hannah, for whom I feel
more than I can express - you have the satisfaction of doing