"America I never expected again to behold, but the joys of religion to seek till life was o'er. Yes, often in the anguish of despair, I recollected some passage you had marked in the Bible I took as I left the house at Roseville for the last time. It lay on your work-table; I knew you loved it--I took it to give you a pang. I read it to cavil--to disbelieve. I was tempted to burn it; but it had been yours, and I could not give it up. In the horrors of the storm, I kept it near my heart. It raised my hopes--for I felt that though I had despised its truths, _they_ were still immutable. Even now I have it--dear, precious volume. But I have wandered from my narrative. "After many months of struggling--sometimes for truth, then to forget it--I at length gave up all as lost, and in anguish sought my friend. He bade me look to him who alone could save. I looked with faith--I seized the promises--I was blessed. Yes, Lavinia, I felt what was worth a world. I immediately resolved to engage in business, and not return to America, till I had tested the truth of my present feelings. I entered into a life of activity. I read and grew in knowledge, and I trust in grace. I thought of you, but feared to trust my heart. You had been, and might be again its idol. I resolved to tear it from the throne I had vowed to give to God. But I could not forget. Three years had at length rolled round since we had parted. You were, I doubted not, another's. But for me, I could not love again. I consulted my friend, who had returned to America, as to what course I should take. He advised me to return. Of my fortune I had not heard; but I was able to defray the expenses of my voyage. I left London; four months ago I landed in New York. From thence I went to Philadelphia--remained a month with the Quakers--thence to South Carolina, and was joyfully received by all except the 'nearest of kin.' Of you I could hear nothing. William I heard was married, and wild enough. I sent my friend Mr. Alston to Virginia. He heard you were single--saw you at church--heard the whole history of your family. He wrote me; I came to ----. He is the bearer of this. I there await an answer, saying whether or not you will again behold your ever faithful J. DRAYTON."