Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
In answer to yours from Plymouth I wd: inform you that yours1 inclosing The Notes &c & directg. The Entry of Sundry actions, I did not receive 'till Thursday after The Day of Entry, But by an application to the Court was permitted to enter The Actions vs Bagnal & Jenks vs Andrews both of which are defaulted. That agst: Mason was entered before by Mr. Otis.2
As to news The great affair of Peace is at Length near a Conclusion & I hope on Such Terms as will be lasting & honorable.3 So much for Politicks.
Private affairs. Last night or rather This morng: a Fire broke out in Mr. Story's Kitchen but no more Damage than a few Pounds out of his Pocket &c. &c. &c. Yours in great Haste.
P:S: If Mr. Blanchard's young man comes to you with This and asks your Direction respecting The Service of a Writ, please to advise him.
Excuse the Interlineations which indicate Haste, and be assured of a longer next.
Neither located.
These several cases probably refer to the February term 1763 of the Superior Court at Suffolk County, which RTP attended on Feb. 22. Neither of the defaulted cases appears in the court minute books although RTP noted in his cash book on Feb. 8, cash expended "By Exns. vs. Andrews & Bagnal." On July 26 he received £1.19 for "Costs Exn. Maybury vs. Bagnal." The case which James Otis entered that session was "John Huillet aplt. v. Benja. Mason aplee." with Otis representing the appellee. The jury found for the appellant (Superior Court of Judicature, Suffolk Co., Minute Book).
The preliminary articles of peace between England and France were signed at Fontainbleau, Nov. 3, 1762, but not reported in the Boston News-Letter until Jan. 11, 1763. The final Peace of Paris ending the Seven Years' War was signed on Feb. 10.