Middlebro' Jan. 18. 1764 1765 Sir!

I1am obliged to you for the Samples of the Peruvian Mine. I am not of the Countrymans Mind "that it looks like something", for upon the closest Scrutiny it doth not appear in the Likeness of any Thing above, beneath or under so that there is no great Danger of its introducing Image Worship, the grand Support of Popery: if it is like to serve any Purpose it is most probable it will convert into some brazen Implement to adorn a Synagogue: Be aware of Counterfeits.

Mr. Conant says, that you must not find Fault with the Handwriting of the Clergy since Monsieur appears in such a Dishabile; I doubt not when it is thrown off, the Inside will appear regular Symmetry. If I should be318at a Loss in the Character, that I have a Kinsman2 that can decypher all the Mysteries of the Jewish Cabala.

You will find Mr. Home will bear a second reading, so that you may keep him 'till you have devoleped the whole chymical Process; & perhaps after you have finished him, you may find that the Easton Silver Ore will make good Stone Walls if it will not serve for Manure; or if there should be either of the Ingredients of Brass in it, let me advise You to purchase an House Lot & lay your Foundation with it, with this Inscription upon the Corner Stone

Hic Murus aheneus, esto—3

& if you think more Words are necessary, Horace will furnish you with half a dozen more. Farewell,

PETER OLIVER

Codicil, Mrs. Olivers4 Compliments; she thanks you for your Law Book, but she is at some Loss whether it is common, civil or Canon Law. She purposes to keep Jacobs Dictionary5 by her for Explanation. She wants to know whether the Author is of Kin to the Missisipi Man6 and whether the Bubble Spirit is inheritable. She will write you her Thoughts upon it when she hath Time to think, but at present she hath only Time to make Gingerbread.

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine Esq. in Taunton"; endorsed in RTP's hand "honl. Peter Oliver Esq. 1765."

1.

Peter Oliver (1713–1791), judge of the superior court (1756–1774) and its chief justice (17711774). He moved to Middleborough in 1744 and built Oliver Hall, reputed to be the most elegant mansion in the province. In his diary RTP reported dining there on a number of occasions, including Jan. 10, 1765. For the controversy concerning his acceptance of his salary from the Crown and the resultant impeachment attempt, see Peter Oliver to House of Representatives, Feb. 3, 1774 (printed below), et seq. He left Boston with the British troops in 1776 and settled in England where he died (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 8:737–763).

2.

Andrew Oliver (1731–1799)

3.

Horace, "Epistle," I line 6: "Be this thy brazen Bulwark of Defence."

4.

Mary (Clark) Oliver (d. 1775).

5.

Giles Jacob, A New Law-Dictionary. London, 1729 and later editions.

6.

John Law, the financier whose failed scheme to exploit the resources of French Louisana was known as the Mississippi Bubble (Dictionary of American History, ed. James Truslow Adams and R. V. Coleman, 5 vols. [New York, 1940]).