Lydia Arnold letter to Thomas Rotch, Hartford 3rd Mo

              B-7-1
page 1

Dear Friend,  It is in much heart felt nearness I salute thee with a line, since deprived of much of any other communication save that which is felt to circulate through a channel hidden & pure. the company of a Solid friend perhaps to me never more desirable. But am endeavoring to learn content in the preesent allotment and welcome every means that has the heart bending to the furtherance of a right improvement. A [illegible] for me, may I strive to profit thereby in the earnest desire of a feeble tho energized traveller. There hast been to meeting a little weak band doubtless thou finds us and some of us I trust are sensible of it, but not withstanding the want of a growth amongst us in the best things, yet there is that which is precious among the little few of this place and that which is panting after Celestial food. I have neither paper nor time to add amidst the present cares and continual interruptions that my present [illegible] is subject to therefore I hope thou wilt make a clearance for my broken hints being