Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
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,
My hands are very lame & I'm much in the Dumps.
Possibly Mary Fletcher.