[underlined text not transcribed as such]
Home 7th day evening

My dear Gracy, 

It is now 9 o’ clock & we must be early in 
the morning to start father & mother, but still I must 
write a little to my own dear [?]. I have just thrown 
down my work for the [W.S.?] sale to write, & indeed I should 
have written sooner had not all my leisure time been thus
engaged, I know almost thee will excuse me. I expect 
thee has been also busy, write & tell me what thee has 
mable, I have very little done yet, two nice baskets &
a bead purse making, but it is so tedious were it not for 
the object, I know I would not have patience but how can 
any one complain of being “tired”, who remembers the tail [worn?]
slave! I have fancied seeing thee when the mail arrived
and no letter from me, with a disappointed look saying 
“it's a real shame Ess don't write,” It is a shame but ever 
since Uncle was here I have been so terrible busy. I did 
not think when I received thy kind letter it should be so 
long unanswered, but perhaps I have made sufficient apology. 
Tell Molly she is “right naughty” not to write me an account 
of her trip to Kennell, [though] I heard a part of it from the 
lips of uncle, but I shall still expect hers, for a good story
never loses by telling. I expect thee was overjoyed to get [such] 
a package of letters. We received the day they came. I had 
intended writing to thee, but by the time I had read all, I concluded 
there were enough letters without me writing. And so the [thee] got one 

from Joshua. I wish when thee next writes thee [would] 
ask him if he ever received the letter which I wrote to [him]
nearly two years ago while at [K.?] & if so why he has not 
answered it. Whether he did or not I wish him to write to 
me soon. Give my love to them all – Gracy has thee been 
round with petitions any? I suspect it would almost impossible 
I have been some but have not many names. thee knows what 
kind of a place this is. It appears all our efforts will be ineffectual 
– thee has heard of the gag resolutions? offered too by a northern 
man! Oh me!!! “What has the worth to do with slavery??[”] 
I said ineffectual, but will not the voices of so many thousands 
[though] attempts may be made to stifle them, speak in thunder
tones? will they not “speak as the tempest does sterner & stronger” 
yes! I hope the tables may be crushed with the burden!
perhaps the worthy can hear that kind of a noise 
if they will not listen to the voice of humanity – but I 
am [running?] on harum scarum, putting my splinter’d ideas 
together in most admirable confusion, I feel just in 
the humour for writing a long letter but the time warns
me to desist, Do write soon & tell me all about how 
thee & Lydia like the school how much you have
done for the fair & everything I am very anxious to get 
a letter. Give my love to Lydia & tell her I should 
be pleased if she would write, give my love to each of 
the teachers to [friends] Susan & [K.?] & to the girl whom thee loves
best. & if thee does not know. I love thee, just send me 
word in thy next – I shall look for an answer by
the bearer. 

Farewell dear
Thy Esse