Lunenburg March 1749/50 Sr:.

Severall things I1 might take notice of in your word of advice which I think may be found fault with, Instance in one it may so happen when I buy a pr. of Oxen that I may give a note to pay for them which Note may not be out till the time of Service is over then it would be an injury in some measure perhaps to me to pay for them because of Loss of Interest of Money.

But let things be as they are, I pray you would inform me whether Dishonesty or unrighteousness abstractly considered, is not so, whether in detaining my Ox mercht. from his money or in that person or you perform in breaking open my Letter, whether the Law is not as much expressly against one as the other, whether the Latter does not deserve the greater penalty or punishmt. as tending to the greatest Detriment, thus Sr. one Word of Advice to you, Let Letters pass for the future without adulteration and you will not discover yourself condem'd in the Crime & so escape the Slander & Punishmt.

S: H.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. R. T. P. in Luninburg"; endorsed: "Samll. Hunt March 12. 1749.50"

1.

Samuel Hunt of Lunenburg later served the town in several offices including selectman and as a captain on the Crown Point Expedition in 1755 (Nancy S. Voye, ed., Massachusetts Officers in the French and Indian Wars, 1748–1763 [Boston, 1975]). He was not related to the man of the same name who married RTP's aunt Experience Paine.