17.
From the same Sibella Caldwell to her brother James in Philadelphia, enclosed
in the letter to her brother, Richard.
Ballymoney, Deo. 1st 1771
My doar Brother James,
Betty and I have been so much engaged in making ready
twolve shirts and twelve pair of stookings for your wear and sent to Brother
Richard in a box to be forwardod by the vessel now up to sail for Philadelphia,
that I have soaroo time to write you so long a letter as I should wish.
o, my brother, when I consider the immense distance and
the ooean which rolls between us, and the probability that we may never in this
world meet again, my heart sickens at the thought, but hope, that darling re-
couroo of the sanguinary or the wretched, which is so forcefully expressed in
the motto of our family ooat of arms "SUPRA, SPEM, SPERO* - austains me, for
as the poet so forcibly denotes its effects -
The wretch condemned with life to part,
Yet still on hope relies;
And every pang that rends the heart,
Bids expectation rise.
I have often thought how pleasing must have been your sen-
sations on sailing up the Delaware, when the City of Brotherly Love opened to
your view. It must have been like entering a new world. How I should enjoy see-
in= the elegent simplicity of the Friends, the oleanness of the streets, and
th
neatness and oomfort of the swollings. Your glowing description of all these
soones has been a source. of much entertainment to our little cirole, and many
of your old neighbours have partaken the enjoyment, for there are few amongst
then, who have not relations and friends: in Philadelphia or its neighbourhood.
In this vioinity we have but few Quakers, but these few are simple in their
habits and enlightened in their understandings. If such be the general oharaote
of the mess in the oity of Penn'a your lot has fallen on pleasant places. How
consolatory it is to think of your continuing to aoquire friends in America.
It was the country of your choice sinoe your very childhood, as it has hereto-
Lore been the land to which many of our connections have emigrated, and could
our brother dispose of the family property. we would all take leave of this un-
scttled, distracted country. We, poor spinsters, are kept in repeated alarm by
hearing of white boys and other serious mobs. At present we have the protection
02 Col. Campbell and his Highland Watch - yosterday being St. Andrew's Day they
valid in procession to Lecting. I cannot conceive why the government should
send to Scotlend for those uncouth locking meroenaries to keep the peace here,
when there are so many fine fellows of sure own country in mant of bread and em.
Lrother. who understands these Letters, dines with us today and may
