Boston Jany. 2d. 1756 Honored Sr.,

I have just time to present my Duty to you & inform you, that since the middle of Septr. last, I have been in the Army toward Crown Point in the capacity of a Chaplin in the Regt. whereof Samll. Willard Esqr. was Col. I should have wrote you of my going, but want of Conveyance & great hurry hindred; we had the misfortune to bury our Col. there. I enjoy'd my health well, & am return'd safe.1 This extraordinary Excursion was unsought by me, & contrary to my Inclination, but was overperswaded. I hope it has done no hurt in any Respect. I am now return'd to my Study of the Law wch. I purpose to practice If I can find a place where, wch. at present seems but dull, especially under the prospect of a War. I would gladly settle if I could, but the World seems to be unsettled. I hope to hear yr. Welfare soon, meanwhile I remain yr. dutiful & much oblig'd Son

ROBERT-TREAT PAINE

P: S. Remember me to Mr. Freeman.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Thomas Paine Mercht. at Hallifax per favr. Capt. Knox;"2 endorsed.

1.

The camp at Lake George broke up on Nov. 27, and RTP set out for Albany, arriving there on Nov. 30. He stayed in Albany until Dec. 6, passing the time in visiting friends, purchasing a horse, and settling accounts. He rode home by way of Kinderhook, New York, through the Massachusetts towns of Sheffield, Blandford, Hatfield, Hadley, Brookfield, and Gardner to Lancaster, where he arrived on Dec. 20, 1755.

2.

Capt. William Knox, a mariner of Halifax whose unpaid note to the estate of Thomas Paine was not settled until 1758. See John Hurd to RTP, Halifax, July 6, 1758.