Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
These few lines leave me the Enjoyer of a good measure of Health as I hope they'll find you. I have never had any Oppertunity of writing to you before now, therefore you must excuse the nott hearing directly from me; but you have no Excuse for if you would but write a letter & leave it att Mr. Palmers it might easily be conveyed along; however I hope you'll embrace this Opportunity. Pray lett me know all news of wt. sort soever how Fathers affairs are circumstanced &c. Here's a honest pretty woman in town that tells me she'll undertake to provide me with worsted Stockings at 50/ a pair. Will it do, enquire & let me know. My Breaches begin to want mending Again. What shall I do. I live here almost out of the World; & next week I'm going to an other part of103the Town wch. I never see. Well, The Planetts those bright shining Orbs are rowlled from place to place why then should I repine. If they would but Rowl me a little nearer Boston I should nott care; If you knew how agreable yr. Letters were to me I'm sure you would let me have more of them. My regards &c. to all inquirers.
I must Conclude wishing you Constancy of Mind to bear up thro' every thing you meett with whether Prosperous or Adverse. Remember that Trouble springs not out of the Dust, Nor is salvation to be look'd for from the Hills or multitude of Mountains, but he who has created us and preserved us hereto only can save us; may we be found in him &c. is the hearty wish of yr. Freind & Brother,
I wrote Mr. Freeman by two conveyances the 3d. Instant2 which I hope came to him & then I hope my Business would a been very Soon finished & I might a been seasonably at home but the next day (the 4th. Instant) I was taken very ill with a violent Headack pain in my Limbs and the exact Symptoms of the Country Feaver & Ague. I betook myselfe to the plentifull use of the Taw Water & the next Day it went off and I languished along for about 10 Days & since that Time have ordinarily been in cumfortable Circumstances but too weak to do any Business. My trading with the old England Gentleman, I wrote Mr. Freeman of will I think certainly be acomplished & the Snow will Sail from this Place in about 4 Weeks from this Time & here are many Oppertunitys of my geting to Maryland or part of the Way by Water & then I can get home by Land if my Health Shall continue in any considerable Degree. It is a very dul time here by Reason that thr. are so many Ships from Liverpool & Hull & other Parts of England which makes104 English goods much plentier & Cheaper here than they are in Boston. And the produce of the Country cant be had without waiting many Months, no not for Gold. My Iron Ware & Axes & some other thing will do exceeding well. I am grieved for Messrs. Palmer & Cranch that They put so many Cards on board me They wônt sell for ready Pay at any Price but I will do the best I can; give my Service to them with this News. My Affections are very strong towards you, My Dear Children, & I long to see you more than I can express, And if I can possibly Sel my Snow for Bills to bring with me I Shall See you as quick as a Journey of Such a Length will admit. And I have a Prospect of it but the Gent[lema]n is not yet come quite to my Terms & the manner of Payment, that is, present. But however that may be the greatest temporal Cumfort I injoy is the Hope and expectation I have of your Religious prayerfull Conversation That we may be sure to meet & live together in a future happy World, My dear Children, dont Disappoint me of this Joy I beseach you & I charge you. And to this End let our Prayers meet at the Throne of Grace every Morning & Evining. Your Affectionate Father,
P.S. Give My Duty to Uncle & Aunt Willard Aunt Eunice &c. & Love & Service to all my Friends. If Robert is not in Town at Rect. of This inclose it to him for I am illy able to write much.
Brunswick, North Carolina.
Not located.