A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2

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From Apollos Leonard
Leonard, Apollos RTP
Taunton June 16th. 1767 Sr.,

Least you should think I meant to add fuel, to the Fire, I neglected, (untill this time,) Clearing up one point, Hinted in your Letter, which I Easily Can do.

Viz: you say Docr. McKinstrey is Justified in showing you the Letter I wrote to Him. Why? because He has undoubtedly as good a right to show the letter after He had Recd. it, as you had before you sent it; which you say is Evident for that it is not in your Hand writing; & Sr. I can assure you that the Letter sent was my own handwriting, & Done in a secret manner; & a Mr. Crocker who had the Letter I beleive was as Ignorant of the Contents when he Deliver'd it, as you was. & Sr. as I beleive your409Letter, or the words of it, were from an Honest Heart so I Recd. it In a Friendly manner, However sent. I am Yr. Vy. Hm. St.,

APOLLOS LEONARD

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