Letter to Nicholas Waln, 1784-04-23

              Esteemed Friend  Philada. 4 Mo. 23d. 1784 - 
Nicholas Waln  Having this favourable Opportunity of conveying a letter, I feel most easy to write thee a few lines informing thee that I safely Arrived at Philada. on the 23d. of last Month being 23 Weeks and 4 days since I set sail from Bristol, in which time I have Experienced a Scene of difficulties, the first 3 Weeks after we saild had pretty favourable Wind & Weather, but after that but little else but Heavy Gales, to Appearance at times it seemd. impossible for the Ship to keep Above Water but was favored to see the Land after we had been out about 11 Weeks and got within a league of the light House but no pilot coming of we beat up and down, by Cape Henlopen & Cape May until about the 23d of 12 Mo. and all to no purpose, then we tryd. for N York but Still unluckey, could not get in, and our Bread and Water almost gone, we bore away for the West Indies to refit and get Provisions & Water which we got compleated in the course of 3 Weeks when we again set sail, but during my stay at St. Kitts I had to make some Observations on teh Labour and cruelties inflicted on the distresed Affricans, O that there could be something done for those poor Objects in General, that they  may be relievd. from such Cruelties that is dayly inflicted on them. Also that a Christian Spirit be planted in the Hearts of the Inhabitants who Possess them and my wish is that some of the Highly favoured may be led among them fully Authorized by the Spirit of Christ in the declaration of truth among the People on the different Islands, that they may be Enlightened from the Gross Darkness in which they now are in, the Week day they Spend much of their time in Gambling and almost all Other vices that Attends a Sinful Life the first day in Particular is Appointed for feasting, Drinking Dancing and al manner of Filthiness both