[001] 
 
My address is Lyle's Lancaster [County] Pa 
 
Fulton 12th month 24th 1865 
 
Beloved Niece, 
 
Thy very acceptable letter came duly 
to hand, and I take this opportunity after some little 
delay to respond to it. I may tell thee in the first place, that 
we are all enjoying good health at present. Our children's  
names are, Albert M., Anna Mary, Eva E., Walter S., 
Clinton H., and Ida Jane; the last is about 14 months 
old. I am still teaching school and probably will con- 
tinue to do so, for some time to come, if my life be spared. 
I am pretty much the same kind of a man as I used 
to be, except as I advance in life, I hope that I make 
some progress in the spiritual life. I feel conscious 
that I am fast hastening towards that home, from 
from which no traveler has ever returned; and am 
desirous of having my days work done, as the day of 
life passes on, that when the sun of life, is about 
to set, that I may (at least) have the comfortable 
reflection, that the world is none the worse because 
I have lived in it. As a member of Friends Society 
I find my labors therin increasing with every  
passing year, I have for a year or two past, feel it 
to be my duty to speak in our religious meetings, 
to call my fellow professors of the Christian name 
home to Christ, the power of God revealed in the souls 
of men. Thy letter speaks of the condition of the Freedmen  
in your midst, as being in a very deplorable condition,  
of which I am fully posted. Millions of poor ignorant  
creatures, let loose, as it were on the world, at such a  
time, and under such circumstance, nothing else  
could be expected; business of all kinds being prostrated  
by a state of war and the negroes having contracted  
false ideas of liberty, trouble might have been  
anticipated. But these things are the legitimate fruit  
of a state of rebellion, against the national authority. 
 
[002] 
 
They that sow the wind, it is said, reap the whirl- 
wind, and our brethren of the South sowed, to rebel- 
lion and anarchy, and we can all see the sorrowful 
fruits. But be not discouraged, a brighter day 
is dawning on the sunny South. Let us 
look on the present state of the laboring class 
among you, as a transition state, that when  
these men come to understand their new position,  
and their former owners also, come to appreciate  
the change of condition, things will work much  
better than they now do. Let us have faith 
at least that this will be so, and trust in that from 
of Power which is ever extended over his creatures for 
good. All good people here sympathize with 
you in your deprivation, and will you to see 
your sunny land blossom as the rose. May we  
be willing to hope, that Slavery, which has been 
the apple of discord among us, is now dead for  
ever, and that we may become once more a united  
people. I have always been opposed to slavery in every  
form and shape let who that would, be its victims  
but I was opposed to the abolition of slavery by the  
war power, believing, that it would not prove  
a blessing to the negroe, however much it  
might weaken the rebellion. I never advocated 
compulsive emancipation, but believed that  
it would prove, to be in the interest, both of the slave  
an [sic] his master if he were freed; And if masters  
had have conferred the hour of freedom on the  
slave in time of peace, the result would  
have been different. But more of this again 
I have lost none of my enter [?] in thee, since times 
have separated us. Mayst thou seek the light and 
pursue it. Give my love to Amos, and keep a larger share 
thyself.  
 
Thine,  
 
[signed] William M. Way