B-273-3
Philadepia 18th 1st mo 1800
Thy kind letter, my dear Cousin, which was designed
to meet me in N York, I did not receive till I had been se-
-veral days at home I could have wished to have got
it there, as I know thy affectionate concern for my belov-
-ed Sister, would have been most cordial to her-but she
shall not quite lose it, for I intend to transcribe some
parts of it for her perusal, I found her in a very low
state of health, tho I think rather better than my fears
had suggested. I suppose thou hast been informed that ten
or twelve weeks ago she raised blood at different times to
a considerable quantity: this was apparently occasioned
by a cold, & preceeded & attended by a pain & stricture of
the breast, & pain in the side, together with a hard cough;
when I saw her, some of these symptoms had entirely subsi-
-ded, the rest greatly abated, & she had a pretty good appe
-tite: & I often thought that if she could enjoy the converse
& sympathy of congenial minds there would be a great
probability of her recovery and I do still hope that
the tranquil resignation & sweetness in which her spi-
-rit is evidently sustained; together with the precious evi-
-dence of the Father s love attempering & sweetening a bitter
cup, will, even without that most exquisite of human [illegible]
promote that desirable event. I was from home
between two & three weeks, & spent but three days in NYork
