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Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2

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From Elizabeth Freeman

12 June 1758

To Eunice Paine

20 June 1758
From Eunice Paine
Paine, Eunice RTP
Weymoh. June the 12 1758 Dear Brother,

Your last visit you damp'd all my hopes of a future Correspondence With Miss Molly,1 by assuring me She Wou'd not advance the first farthing to begin with; I had promise'd myself much pleasure as Well as profit, from a Person So admirably Qualified to keep up the Spirits: & cant patiently bear the disappointment, tho' have no merrit to plead nor Stock to offer; the proposal was to send at first a how do ye if the return was only pretty Well. From this prevailing Principle; The hope of a return: I Send the first complement but Submit it to your better judgment whether tis best to deliver it or not. I wou'd Willingly have a Small Share of the World (tho' I've no desire to Engage in it). If it Can be Conveniently done it may fill up a vacant hour & keep off the destroyer of human peace. I durst no more Engage too Earnestly in Bussness then pleasure so find I want amusing Scenes. Pray further it if you Can Prudently.

Wensday 14. I have been to the Justice, & sworn but tis an ugly Jobb I dont like; tis as bad as being married. Inclosed I send the Certificate but Pray dont Expose tis a Shocking thing but mum twill answer I suppose I have made your Drawes & hope to send E'm but dont know how I shall Convey this; Why did you not Send the papers to be acknowlodged? Tis97a Glorious Day I shou'd like to spend among Some particular freinds but I can't budge. Oh! that my Wings were Grown.

Remember me Where I'm Enquired after and accept this Scrawl from yours as usual,

E: PAINE

My hands are very lame & I'm much in the Dumps.

RC ; addressed: "For Mr. Robert Treat Paine at Boston"; endorsed.

1.

Possibly Mary Fletcher.