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Whom my heart loveth and honoureth in the Lord, remembering thee in the ancient love and path
of life which is most glorious in mine eyes; yea, excellent above all visible things. Dear Margaret,
herein it is I enjoy the fellowship of thy spirit above time and distance, floods, and many waters.
In is now a few days above three weeks since I arrived well in my native land. It was within seven
miles of my own house that we landed. I found my dear wife and her children well, to the
overcoming of my heart because of the mercies of the Lord to us. I have not missed a meal's
meat or an night's rest since aI went out of the country, and wonderfully hath the Lord preserved
me through many troubles in the settlements I have made, both as to the government and the soil.
I find many wrong stores let in of me, even by some I love; but, blessed be the Lord, they are the
effects of envy, for things are sweetly well with Friends there, and many grow in wisdom. And in
the outward things they increase finely. The love of divers Friends, especially those of Lancashire
and Cheshire, was to thee. Our meetings are blessed, and I think there are eighteen in number in
the province. Poor C. Hurst and brother died soon after arrival. Fixing on a low marshy place, for
the river's sake, (though a dry bank was not a stone's cast from them) they had agues and fevers,
but no seasoning in nay other settlement.
My dear wife relates thy great love to her in my absence, and so she also wrote me word, which
affected my heart and soul. I return thee my tender acknowledgment. My salutation is to thy dear
children, and to Thomas Camm, Leonard Fell, and other faithful brethren.
I have seen the King and the Duke. They and their nobles were very kind to me, and I hope the
Lord will make way for me in their hearts, in order to serve His suffering people as well as my
own interest.
I shall be glad to hear of thy well being, and am with much affection thy faithful friend and
brother in the Truth,
William Penn