Letter to Robert Pleasants, 1773-04-08

              Philadelphia ye 8th. 4th. Month 1773
Dear Friend Robert Pleasants
Thine by Robt. Valentine, inclosing the copy of a letter to thee from Patrick Henry, a respectable member of your assembly was very acceptabe: its matter of joy to find, that the almighty still condescends to favour some with a revelation of his will in a time & in places, so generally involved in that darkness, which pride, cruelty & the love of wealth introduces in the human mind. I much desire for him, as for myself. he may be joining in with the present revealed knowledge experience an encrease of the same & establishmt. in the Truth. And as the concurrent testimony of persons of different times religious persuasions & motives, carry a kind of forcible evidence in favour of truth to a thinking mind; and having a good opportunity by thy vessel. I take the freedom to salute thy friend Patrick Henry  & herewith to send him some books being collections of the lives & sentiments of several religious people, which as different times during a course of thirty years I have engaged in the tuition of the youth, I have caused to be published, for the use of my pupils & others: chiefly calculated to promote that purity of heart, which the Gospel requires, without touching upon any controversed opinion, the perusal of which I believe will afford so well disposed a person as I apprehend him to be some satisfaction, at least I trust, the generosity of his sentiments will induce him to take my freedom in good part. Agreeable to thy desire I inclose send the copy of the Petition to our assembly. I also send the substance of a letter I am writing to our friend Benj. Berry, at hus request. Friends and others in Maryland have, under their consideration to put forward a petition to their ensuying assembly, of the like import with ours by which thou wilt understand what has eitherto, been the consequence of our endeavours to set the consideration of the Slave Trade before our assembly & by them before thy King & Parliament. As also its effect to the Eastward. "At the last sitting of our assembly we joined wh. many of the weightest members of the several Societies; in a Petition