Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
Since I left you at Boston I recd. a Letter you had wrote me. 1 I have neither Time nor ability to express the warmth it occasioned in my heart. Your Gen'rous Sentiments cloath'd in such tender Expressions, made my strong grounded Freindship throw off Stoicism & melt into the warmest affection. I hope there is no occasion I should tell you that I have this many years join'd my self a partner in yr. afflictions & admitted you to all my Prosperity, & if I know what Truth is, I think it is Truth wn. I say that my own Circumstances in the World would occasion me but little concern, if I were not desirous of expressing my Love in some Beneficial Way to those whom the Chosen Bonds of Freindship has render'd more dear to me than the forc'd Tyes of Nature. It contradicts my disposition to pawn my Regards on those who need them not, But if it be a thing possible that I should be anyways beneficial to you you are not my freind if you conceal it from me. The fire that flames most does not always burn the strongest, but the Fewel of my Love tho' it has burnt long, like the Sun, is not consumed. I am sensible I am deficient in those Expressions of tenderness which the delicacy of yr. Sentiments so naturally call for; but at the same time I am sensible that I write to one that is able to discover flattery & formality amidst a cloud of Rhetorick, & to pick out solid Freindship from rough & unpolish'd hints. The abstractedness of my Business you may well think renders me less able to given Freindship its description, tho' perhaps more able to perform its due, & I hope I shall one day be able to demonstrate how sincerly I value yr. happiness. I hope these lines will find you seated con-287veniently for Exercise & I fancy I now see you triumphant on a great horse scattering the Sands with his houghs & beating the Air with yr. high exalted Capitol. As you visit back & forth recommend me to the favour of all the worthy. I am in good health & wish Conveniency would admit you here. However hope to hear from you by every opportunity. Spare not to write for I know not where yr. Letters are better recd. or where they do more good. I think of Nothing in perticular to inform you off. Therefore I conclude Yr. Loving Brother & establish'd Freind
P:S Pray wn. you write mind your stops good woman
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