Chapter XXV: Letter III: “my Dearest Life,

I received yours of the 20th and another of the
29th of Nov., which were both most acceptable, but they had both
been long by the way, for it was the 5 of Dec. before I received the
first. You are much mistaken in thinking I was displeas’d with you
for leaveing this country. I doe assure you I thought it a lucky
providence, and, tho I was in fear from not hearing from you, yett
it was easy to bear in comparison of what terror I must have had if
you had been in the danger some other of our freinds have been in. I
suppose you know all our difficultys from better hands long ere now,
and by that you may guess the torment and fear and terrible horror I
must be in for you and many others. If I had known your adress I had
writ to you three weeks ago and beg’d of you to stay where you was
till you saw how things would be. I writ to your Brother in hopes he
would learn itt from some att Edinr., but he told me he could not,
and you was soon expected, and I was so far from wishing you soon
back, I was afraid to hear of your return. I pray God send a happy
end to all, for I am just where I was and my hops are still very
faint, that person you mention in yours not being come yett. Your
children are very well, and all your other friends. I doe not wish to
hear you are returned, but when you doe, pray God you may be saffe,
which is the earnest wish of her who is intirely
Yours.

Dec. 10.

I am better than could be expected, all things considered. If you can
have any reasonable pretence to stay, doe not come by any means. Mr.
Peck gives you his most humble service, so does Aunt B. and I.”