1837 October 28, Harrisburg, to Henry

              Harrisburg 10mo 28.  1837-



Dear Henry



From thy letter of yesterday I perceive that doubts still exist as to the apprehended piracy- & the papers which reach us are full of contradictions & vain conjectures- at one time we were assured that the informtation had reached Norfolk about the same time it reached N Castle- & after that statement had passed current for some days we find by a Balte. paper that the first knowledge they had of it in Norfolk was the 25th in the afternoon.  The pilots if I recollect first reported the capturing schooner to be full of men & black sided- it now seems they kept so far away that they could not see whether the ship was bright sided- still they alledge to have distinctly seen the cross in her foretop sail- This circumstance is the most striking, & yet it is possible that at their distance they might be mistaken even in that.  I observe a story has been circulate in NYork of an oyster boat having supplied the ship at Sea- & that is believed, contradicted & reiterated- If that were true it wd. indeed be some comfort, as it might accot. for the whole affair, making some allowances for discrepancies.  It is altogether a painful subject, & has caused me much perhaps useless anxiety.  but no benefit can arise from despondency.  & it is our duty to submit to the Divine Will- & our best interest too- Let us then hope while hope we may-