We yesterday heard from Mrs. Bowne, who had recovered from the fatigue of her voyage, and thought herself something better. I am in hopes that the soft weather of an early spring will do more for her than medicine could have effected in the rude weather of our winter and spring. I ought not to conceal from you, tho’ I think you sh^d not unnecessarily increase the anxiety of your mother, that I am not free from apprehensions regarding your Sister’s complaint; it is so flattering and insidious, that I do not place the same Reliance upon favorable Reports w^h in any other case I sh^d be inclined to do. I by no means think that she has no chance of recovery. On the contrary, I have the satisfaction to believe and expect that she will regain her accustomed good health. Mrs. Browne’s being with her is a very important circumstance in a case in which good nursing and careful attention is of so much consequence. With sincere Regards, I remain, D^r Sir, Y^r obliged serv’t, RUFUS KING. Horatio Southgate, Esqr., Portland, Maine. Charleston, February 21, 1809. I will permit no one but myself to transmit to you the dreadful intelligence this letter will convey to you, my dear Parents. A good and merciful God will not forsake you at this awful moment. Our dear Eliza is freed from her earthly sufferings and I humbly trust is now a blessed spirit in Heaven! I offer you no consolation; I commit you into the hands of a Good God, who has supported me when my strength failed me. She had her senses at intervals for the few days last of her illness. She spoke of her approaching change with great composure, said she had thought much of it, that she trusted in God for future happiness with great satisfaction and confidence; wished her time might come speedily that she might be relieved from the pain of seeing her distressed friends. She suffered with wonderful patience; never murmured. At the very last she looked the satisfaction she had not the power to speak. At 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon was this most afflicting scene. Octavia had great fortitude to sit by her when she could speak only with her eyes. She knew us, and listened with apparent satisfaction to a prayer I read only an hour before the sad moment. It was a day of trial with us most severe. With much affection and regard to all, W. BROWNE. Poor Mr. Bowne has not arrived. To Mr. & Mrs. Southgate. Charleston, March 12, 1809.