Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
The Letter with which you honourd. me sometime since I have not before me. You therefore will not consider this as answer to it. As I have but a moment to write my letter must respect the great object of procuring a continental army as soon as possible. As I have thought constantly it now appears certain that the New England Men cannot (Be the offers what they may) be inlisted for an indefinite and uncertain time. Perhaps they may for three years, but the most likely time and which will most generally take is Two years. We must advance gradually and be content to do so. After they shall have served two years They will become habituated to the Manner of life and will easily engage again (if Needed).
Again as you have advanced the pay of the officers the Soldiers pay Must advance proportionably. This is certain. It is of infinite consequence that Congress in general should know that New England private soldiers discuss all this business of pay and establishments with as Much Minuteness accuracy and judgment as any of Our Legislative assemblies if Not More so. It is vain to attempt to put out their eyes. Let the Man be accursed who shall endeavour it. Light ever was the Mother of Liberty and Ignorance and Darkness of Slavery.
The Utmost endeavours Should be used to prevent rapacious Suttlers Abusing the Soldiers. This Must depend Much on the Wisdom and care of the General officers But the only sure way to Save the soldier from 320Abuses, is to Make such Allowances for the Soldiers subsistence as is fully sufficient for temparate reasonable men.
The comtee. of this court have wrote to Congress fully on these head; But we have this Moment received Advise that the Whole Mail containing those dispatches was taken Near Philadelphia and are probably now in Howe’s hand. I am your assured Friend,