Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
From the various avocations of my business and the incessant entreaties of my Relations & Friends for my return to Taunton, has kept my mind in such a continued agitation that I have had no composure for writing you, or for doing any thing else for this long time past; 327but now having unburthen’d my mind by determining to return to Taunton (tho’ I am afear’d to my disadvantage); I take up my pen with great pleasure to compensate, if possible, for my long neglect.
Govermental proceedings I know little or nothing about for since the Court have remov’d into Town, their business has been cheafly relative to War, & having a number of Foreigners around them, they have tho’t fit to shut their Galleries; thence we know nothing of their proceedings but by the streams that Issue from the Fountain. Our Old Deligates for Congress are reelected with the addition of the honble. Fran. Dana & Master James Lovell. The Court are likewise making large preparations for the next Campaign by purchasing of Cloathing & ever
Our prizes are innumerable. Sugars are a Drugg but the price is still high. We have lately taken 2 Ships & 2 Briggs with English Goods cheafly; & provision Vessells from England are daily arriving at our ports.
I long to see you that I may converse respecting Govermental matters & other proceedings. I dare not trust my Sentiments upon paper as the Enemy are between us. I have no news from the Northward, but peace & quietness.
I was at Taunton twenty days since, when our Families & Friends were well. I expect to return to Taunton next week to take up my residence, where I shall continue, I suppose, the remainder of my days, unless the voice of my Country calls me to the Field. God knows I dispise danger in such a cause as this. I have lately receiv’d 2 or 3 Letters from you, but as they contain’d nothing that requir’d a perticular answer, you’ll except of this as an answer for the whole. Do let us see you by Christmas.
In the mean time I am your Much Devoted Friend & Servant,