Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
I1 Suppose before the time you are arrivd at the Camp, & have gratefied your Curisosity in many points wch. we are Denyd. I could wish to be with you. I wonder how you fare in tht. unknown world. I fancy there are Strange pleasures & as Strange pains in tht. State to wch. I am Such a Stranger.
I can Inform you that your Freind's here are well —& if I could receve any Information from you where you are, & what you Do where you live, it wod rejoyce the heart of the Subscriber wo. Dayly prays for your welfare
My Service to your Coll: & other Friends. Mrs. Mellens Complements to you. We have Just heard the news of the particular person Slain from among us.2 Sorrowful news to some—But upon the whole matter of Joy & praise. This night I hear of a bloody Sea fight upon the Coast In wch. Admiral Boscawen has glouriuly
John Mellen (1722/3–1807) had been minister of the Second Church and West Parish of Lancaster (now Sterling) since 1744 (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 11:40–52).
Perhaps William Fairbank, who "was killed by the French and Indians at an Ingagement with them at Lake George," Sept. 8, although the cause for the subsequent analysis is unknown (Nourse, ed., Register of Lancaster, p. 160).
This report proved false, although over the course of the summer Boscawen did capture many merchant ships coming from France attempting to break the blockade of Louisbourg as well as fishing ships and coastal craft. Macnamara had been in command of the French naval convoy fleet sent to protect the ships which generally evaded Boscawen in June but at this time was cruising off the coast of Spain awaiting the return of the supply ships (Gipson, British Empire, 6:105, 107, 123).