Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I recd: your favour of the 26th: ult: I feel with the most gratefull acknowledgments your tender sympathy in my repeated losses— losses of which no one can form an adequate Idea who has not known the harmony with which we lived, the characters of the deceased, & the force of freindship cemented by the nearest connections & hightned by a similarity of pursuits, interests, & inclinations. But it does not become us to repine at the dispensations of providence. I derive much consolation from the glorious end of my dear freind & when I grieve it is more for my country than myself. In his integrety & abilities I saw not only an able Champion for our rights but a firm barrier against those who may be tempted to derive advantages from the calamities of the country.
But the power that has hitherto protected us will raise up other Hero’s to fight our battles. This is the season for genius to display itself. I for my part think our prospect brightens daily, the weakness & divisions of our enimies give us advantages which they can never recover, if we are careful to make the proper use of them. Let us then endeavour to compromise every little provincial despute & heartily join in the glorious persuit of freedom which I am satisfied we shall not in that case fail to obtain. Whatever may be our object I am persuaded that it is time the people should be weaned from too warm an attachment to a people nation who have lost the vertues on which it was originally grounded. It will be easy to return to their old prejudices (if necessary) when Britain offers such terms as we can safely close with. This I onhoped expected from their justice, then hoped from their fears, & am now growing more indifferent about.
I am much pleased at the progress made in the manufacture of salt petre. I must own that I have had more fears on that score than any other. The powder mill you speak of is rebuilt. If you think it necessary I have 168several convenient streams on which on the shortest notice I will have as many erected as the congress will direct on any terms which they will think it reasonable to propose. My Brother1 (who has the mill you speak of ) is with you. I will be obliged to you if you will inform him that the brasses are not yet done, & that he had best bring a set from Philadelphia if he is like to get any considerable quantity of saltpetre. You will serve me & the publick by expediting his business that he may attend to his mills. I would just hint to you, that you should not suffer yourselves to be deceived by exagerated accts. which the avarice of the powder makers will enduce them to give—for be assured if you make every allowance for repairs, bad weather, & failure of water in some places, you can not expect more than 400 lb a week at an average from a mill.
Genl. Schuyler here he tells me wrote for a committee to set at Albany. You must be convinced of its necessity. Pray let it be done. I am not without hopes of seeing you on that errant. I must confess I should like to be joined with you, if it takes place, as I may then at the same time contribute my mite to the publick service & attend a little to the affairs of my family, which the death of both my grandfathers, my Dear father & worthy brother renders a necessary duty.
Farewell! present my comps. to your worthy colleagues & Mr. Langdon if he is still with you. May your kind wishes be returned with interest to your bosom. I remain Dear sir Your most obt. Hum. Servt.
Identified as John Robert Livingston (1755–1851) in Letters of Delegates, 3:711.