Newport Decr. 24th 1765 Brother of the Faculty,

Inclosed I1 have Sent you an Account of Henry Collins Flagg of this Town Merchant agt. One Thomas Gilbert of Freetown in the County of Bristol in the Province of the Massts. Bay etc. Labourer (I beleive is the only addition he can legally have). You'l be kind enough to put it in Suit as soon as possible, and when you have effected any Thing in my Friends Behalf let me know it by Letter, or acquaint him therewith. I give you Joy of the Spirit of Liberty that has diffused itself thro' all Ranks of Men. There and then it is true we have an Esau; but I beleive there never was so large a Number of People especially so extended in their Settlements so unanimous, so resolutely bent upon standing up for those Liberties wherewith Our Glorious Constitution, and God himself hath made us free; May they be manly supported and gloriously handed down by us to latest Posterity. Our Court Met last Month and adjourns to the first Week in January. This has been very disgustful to Our sovereign Lords the People and as the Court at Providence has proceeded as usual, I believe Our Court at their next Meeting will pass by all Ceremony with the Stamp Act. I seem to be under some little Difficulty about the Matter; but the Spirit I profess agt. Oppression; and Considering how much easier it is to sail with the Currant, than to stem the Torrent, will prevail over those Difficultys and I think to fall in. Should be glad however of your Sentiments2 upon this occasion, and of the Opinion with of the Faculty of the Province. My Regards attend on my Friends within your Knowledge and I am with truth your sincere Friend & Brother in the Faculty,

HY. MARCHANT 359

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine Esqr. in Taunton"; endorsed.

1.

Henry Marchant (1741–1796) was born on Martha's Vineyard but moved at an early age to Newport, R.I. He studied law under Edmund Trowbridge of Cambridge, became a Son of Liberty, and later a delegate to the Continental Congress, 1777–1779. Distinguished as a lawyer, he was appointed by President Washington a judge of the United States district court in July 1790 (DAB).

2.

RTP's diary entry for Nov. 1, 1765, reads: "The Dawn was overcast with Dark destructive Fogs and Nature seem'd to Mourn the Arrival of this ill boded dreaded never to be forgotten first of Nov. PM Eunice visited me single horse from Abington: NB Stamp Act takes place this day."