Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
Mr. Hancock & Mr. S. Adams have Concluded to go to Philadelphia togather by Springfeild Rhoad. Mr. J. Adams is undetermined, but if he goes thro Rhode Island will be at your house by Monday night or on Tuesday next. I shall go in a Sulky & as my Family is to reside at Providence I believe I shall be oblidged to go there to make Preparations for them, & design to be at your House on Monday night or Some time on Tuesday next When I hope to have the pleasure of your Company to Philadelphia. I would not have you wait longer than that time as Mr. Hancock & Mr. Adams design to sett out on Monday next & if I go your way shall be there be sure by Tuesday next. Pray send me line by the first oppertunity, whether you shall be able to sett out at that time.1 Your Humble Servant
RTP left home to return to the Continental Congress on Apr. 22. As he noted in his diary for that day, “abt. 9 oClock set out from Taunton accompanied by Richd. Dean as a waiter & Capt. Dean of the Troop & 10 more Troopers fine weather. Stopt at Lanes in Newton, thence to Morris in Wrentham & dined, thence to Mendon quite dark. Found the Tavern full of soldiers from East Hartford, under Col. Pitkin. Wth. difficulty got lodging put up at Keiths Tavern.” Armed guards from various towns accompanied his progress through western Massachusetts to Connecticut. The Massachusetts delegation gathered at Hartford and from there progressed together. On May 5, RTP took time to stop in Norwalk, Conn., “to see Mr. Edward Arnold & saw his Museum a very large Collection of Birds, Insects, Fossills Beasts Fishes &c. wch. he has been 7 yrs collecting.” On May 6, they “Rode under the same escort to Kings Bridge there met by No. of Gentlemen from NYork din’d thence to NYork the last 7 miles under the Escort of a Grenadier & Ranging Company & 600 Militia & a vast Crowd of Gentlemen & People in Carriages, on Horse back & foot went to Francis Tavern.” Escorts continued through New Jersey, and on May 10 the party “proceeded to Philadelphia, met 5 miles out of Town by a Great No. of Gentlemen & military Companys, one of Riflemen escorted by music to City Tavern, dind at Mrs Yards where we put up. PM met in Congress at the State House, chief of the Members arrived. Chose a President Mr.