Newport Octr. 23: 1757 Dear T. Pain,

To Convince you there is some Sincerity in me1 (though a lawyer by Profession) have set myself down and Endeavord to Form an Epistle agreable to my Promise when I parted from you last, though am Sorry my Time will not allow me to comply Exactly with the method we mutually prescribed & agreed upon. Law you are sensible is a subject am so much more Acquainted with than any other; that coud Compose a Letter with Little Difficulty on so Copious a Theme: and Consequently shoud'nt fail Gratifying myself with the pleasure of Conversing with you in this way more fully woud inexorable time but stay his proceedings and that you Know is so far from being possible—that even such real worth & merit as Yours woud never move him to retract. But Lest I shoud still more offend him by a further Trespass than I have already Committed upon him—I shall beg your leave to Conclude my Epistle with a promise to be more Lengthy next Oppertunity & beg youd without more Ceremony write me soon. I am your sincere Friend & Brother professioner,

JAME. BRENTON

Please to Solve the following Questions. Whether a Marriage in Reputation as Among the Quakers is sufficient to Give title to real Estate?—And—

Whether yr. Act of Bankruptcy Extends to Persons who become so in the province but are now out of it, as at Halifax &c.?

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Pain Attorney at Law In Boston. To be left at Mr. Wm. Belchers near the Town house"; endorsed. RTP's reply of Oct. 26, 1757 is appended.

1.

James Brenton (1736–1806), a lawyer of Newport, Rhode Island, later removed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was admitted to the bar in 1760. Brenton later served in the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia, 1765–1785, and successively as solicitor general, attorney general, and judge of the Supreme Court, 1779–1800. He was a member of the Council from June 16, 1801, until his death (DCB).