1840 June 14, Woodbourne, to My dear sister R, Philadelphia

              Woodbourne 6 mo 14- 1840My dear sister RI had been threatening for several days, before the arrival of thine and Francis' letter, to send thee a communication in the shape of a scolding, for not sooner announcing your safe arrival in Philada. but the thought of doing it wd no sooner be revolved in my mind, than the recollection of all thy kindness to me in various ways, particularly in escorting me home, wd make the scale preponderate in thy favour, and much as I wished to hear from you, I wd resolve to wait in the patience a little longer, believing that thy engagements must have been greatly multiplied in consequence of thy absence. Francis says nothing in relation to his health, which I take for granted must have improved from the time of your leaving us. we thot and talked of you often, during your homeward journay and wondered if you wd not lie by those rainy days did you come to the conclusion, that the route you chose for returning was to be preferred to the one we travelled hither? I trust for your sakes, it was more agreeable, and that thee was enabled to make a favourable report to mother Cope, of the accomodations etc etc. We shall hope, if the impression thee received from thy short sojourn among us, was in our favour, to have a visit from thyself, & brother Henry, in company with Father & Mother. to brother H. I am greatly indebted on sundry accounts, and all the return I can make will but illy repay him