Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I have this moment receiv’d your Letter (without any date) per Winthrop1; & as the post is just going out of Town, I have only oppertunity to inform you that our public matters, in general, now go on well. Our powder Mill at Andover turns out weekly 1000 lb. of powder, another Mill at Stoughtonham is just ready to work. The quantity of Saltpetre made & making is incredible; but the Sulphur & Lead business is at a stand with us at present; as their has been no incouragment, of consequence, for the refining of Sulphur, it is not to be suppos’d that any cou’d be produc’d; but if their was a generous grant made to a Gentn. or two of Chymical abilities, I’ll warrant, from certain knowledge, that the refining of Sulphur wou’d be bro’t to perfecting in four Months. You’ll be suppriz’d to hear who our Representitives are from Taunton, viz. Old Major Godfrey & Nathll. Leonard. Their popularity arose from their heading the Mob when the Courts were oppos’d. Pray be so good as to write every post; I shall do the same. I hear your family are well. I expect to go to Taunton next Saturday. If I shou’d you must not expect a Letter next post. I have a great many things to write you but have not time at present. If Major Miflin is coming here, as we are inform’d he is, do give him Letters to me. I am Dear Sir Your Friend & Humble Servant
Not located. RTP noted in his diary, May 13: “wrote Dr. Whiting, Dr. Cobb & my Wife, Joseph Greenleaf Esqr., Thos. Cushing Esqr. Jos. Palmer Esqr. Saml. Eliot by Mr. Winthrop.” Of these, only an abstract of the letter to Palmer (dated May 11), as printed above, has been located.