1812 August 1, Philada, to William, New Garden

              'Twas with extreme regret that I turned my face homeward last second day, without first seeing my dearly belov'd William. I accomplish'd but half the purpose to which all my exertions tended. I saw my lively Caroline - I saw her well and happy - but my poor William, who has been afflicted - who has suffer'd poison and confinement, unalleviated by the consolations of Maternal sympathy - who feels his separation from us so sensibly - and who I had almost said, seems more tenderly attached to me than any of my Children - him I could not see. Tired as I was, and not perfectly well, I would most willingly have undergone the additional fatigue of riding from B. Sharpless's to New Garden and back again on first day, if thy Father would have consented: but he thought Alice's situation render'd a visit at this time improper. 
The Lancaster has not been heard of. We are ready to give over expecting her, and to suppose she must be captured. These are serious times my dear, and happy it is for all those who when "the Judgements of the Lord are in the Earth, learn Righteousness"; and who firmly believe that there is an overruling power which controls human events, and will assuredly cause all things to work together for good to those who trust in it. May we all endeavour to know our Minds anchor'd here, the only true resting place, when the tumults of the World threaten shipwreck to our temporal prosperity. 
Our City has as yet been preserved in a state of comfort -