Boston March 9 1770
Sir,
Yesterday in the Forenoon the Select Men met in
Order to Consider what was Necessary to be done Relative to to proper
Council to be Appointed to Appear in behalf of the Relatives of the De-
ceased, the first was Murder'd by Richardson
& Afterwards others
Capt. Preston
& his Soldiers &c.
By a Vote of the Town You'l Observe they are to Pay
the
Expense of Prosecution, of Consequence You will be by them Amply
Satisfied.
It is the Opinion of the Select
Men, & also those
that are Suppos'd to be better Acquainted in Law Matters, that
it
will not be in Character for the Town to Appear against the Crimi-
nals, but the Relatives of the Deceased,
by whome
& in whose Name
You are the Gentleman pitched
Upon in their behalf, & against the
said Richardson
& the Capt
& Soldiers.
The Bearer Mr
Edwards now goes Express to desire You will be in Town the 17th
Inst: to wch: day our
Court is Adjourn'd
& Presume Richardson's
Case will be the first that will come on, the
Capt:
& Soldiers will
follow
The Evidences will
be properly Arranged
and Ready against You come, but in Order for Your
Government
(tho' none are allow'd to be given out but under Peculiar Circum-
stances) & to prepare
Yourself for the Tryal have sent by the
Bearer a
Printed Narrative of the Massacre, wth:
abt: 80 Affidavits
Turn Over
the thing & be fully Posses'd of Substance and Facts, it may not
be amis hire to Observe that some how their has been great Defici-
ency in preparing Council in Time, Our Common Enemy's (You
know who they are) have Availd themselves of our Neglect, & have
Engag'd most or all the Lawyers in Town, however I'm glad it falls
to Your Lott to have an Opportunity of making an Eclat in so Popular
a Cause, I am for my own Part Convinced of Your Readiness at all
Times to Espouse your Countrys Cause, or that of Individuals, Who
have Suffered by the hands of the Execrable V s & Professed Mur-
ders. You will Please to give me a Line by the Bearer, the
day you may be Expected in Town if Agreeable. In the Interim
Remain.
Your most Hble Servt
Robt Treat Payne Esq
Wm Molineux
March 9th 1770
Boston Massacre
For
Robt Treat Paine
Esq
In
Taunton
pd express
Mr Edwards