Cambrige the May the 9 1747

Hic Sunt Sua praemia Laudis non plura Sed Vera.1

Dear Sr.,

I2 must Confess my Self somthing Surprizd at the Receiption of a letter from an Unknown friend Whose Ingenuity filld my Soul with Amazment & a sweet Surprise: Who was pleasd to Express his regards for me his Unworthy but Sincere friend in So pathetical a Strain as hath rap'd my soul into the delectable Animadvertions of peculiar friendship.

I am not Insensible that Every one is Aspiring after that which they Immagin will render them happy but Alas So Infatuated are the Unhappy Sons of Adam that they Toil & Labor hard for that which Satisfieth not: and re in Quest of happiness Where there is nothing but misery & disappoining Vanity. I am Equally Sensible that some have ranked friends among the lest of the blessings dispencd by the Wise Disposer of all Things, but I must beg their leave to rank them among those to whome the Same Disposer of all things has Allowd but a Smal Share of that Warmer passion by which friends feal Each others happiness & Condole their Misery.

14

I am at a loss to finde a more Unhappy person on this Side the Stygean Lake than one destitute of a friend to Congratulate his felicity & Sympathise his Misfortune.

But (Heavens be Thanked) I am far from this Unhappiness while your Towering Soul Hovers round my vile my despicable Cell as fond of Contracting an Intemacy & promoting a mutual Love & regard for Each other Which you Chose to Effect by giving me an happy Opportunity of perusing your Letter, The Epitama of Good sense, A livly Emblem of Condescention and a Superior demonstration of those Innate Qualities of your Mind which if I might in any Sense but Immitate which if I but paint forth tho it were but pale & Imperfect Manner happy, happy Should I Esteem myself indeed, But oh—why Should I make so bold an attempt Seeing I am at once Emerged in a Sea of Wonder & Amazment in the Contemplating there on & drownd in thought when I do but begin—your generous Disposition your Witty Turns your Superiour Scholarship your poetical genus & autorical Stranes Clearly paint forth a Superior character a Character too Illustrious for me to Scan—but, O I am Angry with my own attempts—Why Should I Transgress by diminissing from that which I would faine Elate. Most Noble Sr. forgive me this once and I'll Transgress no more.

And Now least I Should too longe Detain Your Aspiring Soul Upon These low and Sorded lines I must Conclude with beging leave to Subscribe yor most Obediant Obligd & mos Humble Servant,

CUPIENTEM DOCERI3

May Heaven preserve your Towring Soul And Every Angel guard thee round. Maynt Death too Soon Cause me to Mourn thy Absence in the Mouldring ground.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. R Treat Paine Living Cambridge QDC These"; endorsed: "Samll. Haven recd. May 11th. 1747."

1.

These are his rewards of praise, not more but true.

2.

Samuel Haven (1727–1806), a Harvard classmate of RTP, later fourth minister of the Second Church of Portsmouth, N.H. ( Sibley's Harvard Graduates , 12:382–392).

3.

Desiring to be taught.