Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
It was not without some Commotions in my Mind mixed with a Surprizing Satisfaction that I read your's of the 20th instant1 wherein you Treat a Subject which is of the Utmost Importance to all (tho' Vulgarly little thought of) with such a Spirit of Candor and Air of Seriousness as Discovers at least that your thoughts of Death are not Transhent and Superficial but real & of the last Importance in order for 38your Eternal happy Existance, after Death that King of Terrors shall have seized your Vital breath & laid your Claey Tabernacle in the Dark & Silent grave.
And indeed Sr. your letter was not less agreeable than unexpected and the more so by reason of some indispositions of body which lead me to a Consideration of the insatisfactiory Nature of all things below the Œtherial Sky.
And kind Sr., as I am ambitious of the Character of a True Friend in respect to you so I would be carefull at all times to Deserve it: and Would Advise Æqually myself as you to Engrave this as a mottoe upon the whole of our Concerns, Memento Mortis, for by a frequent and Serious Consideration of Death it will loose it's Terrifying aspect and become Easy and familar.
I am considerably indisposed by reason of a bad Cold—but better than I was—there is nothing at College very remarkable or Worthy the relating at present Save Williams Senr.2 is under Some remarkable concern of mind.
These Sr. presenting my Sincere regards as well to yourself as also to your Sisters &c. are in the greatest hurry from your Sincere tho' Unworthy Friend and Servt.,
P.S. I confide in your generosity to over look whatsoever is amiss.
Not located.
William Williams (1730/1–1811), the senior of the two Williamses admitted that month with the Class of 1751. After graduation Williams returned to his native Connecticut where he became a legislator and public official. He was a member of the First Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence (DAB; Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 13:163–174).