Sr., Boston May 8th: 1777

I make no apology for not troubling you with these few lines, as I think it nesesary to assert my inocence with regard to Caspapinas letters.1 Indeed Sr. I know nothing about it nor have I seen it, since, long before I left Taunton. Tis true I had it about a fortnight at the Drs. with my Aunts leave (for without her leave I never carryed a book out of yr. house) & return’d it to her again, & with my own hand replace’d it in your office. This I dont dout, my Aunt remembers—which is the last I know of it. I hope it is not come to any harm—& if it is that you will be Convinced Sr. that it is not then any Carelessness of mine.

With regard to Gays fables2 I plead guilty threw forgetfullness (or what you please to call it). I left that at the Doctors. I humbly own this fault, & beg yr. forgiveness as this is the only fault of the kind that I have been guilty of. I think I need not dout it. Please to present my duty to my Aunt & love to yr. dear little ones & with my duty Sr. Be Pleased to except this imperfect Scrale from dear Sr. yr. dutyfull & obliged niece

Mary Greenleaf

RC ; addressed: “To the Honorable R: T: Paine Esqr. at Taunton”; endorsed.

1.

This volume had earlier been borrowed by Mary’s elder sister. See Abigail Greenleaf to RTP, Dec. 6, 1774.

2.

John Gay’s Fables went through multiple editions, beginning with the first series in 1727, second series in 1747, and the complete edition in 1764. The Fables appears in RTP’s original catalogue of his library (begun in 1768) but not in the 1805 rearrangement of the catalogue.