Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
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.
Accidentally I mett with the bearer from home, per whome I have but one Moment to Inform you, that I've (since I came from home) recd. a Letter from Father by which he Inform's me of his safe Arivall at St. John's harbr. in Antegua; after a Very Tedious passage. He has been Very ill, but has recoverd his health by his Sea Sickness, & Intirely got well of his Cough & collick. Letter is Dated port above Decr. 26th. 1749.1 He does not Inform what Course he Intends So I cannot inform but Conjecture to the Bay.
105I heartily rejoyce with you at the News and wish him all health & prosperity. We are all well & remember Love (I presume) & Service. I hope you are in health, should be glad to hear. Have not time to add but am Sr. your Loving brother &c.
PS: Mr. Freeman is gone to Chabuctu alias Hallifax2 with a £3000 Cargo, and is to return per Same Vessell,3
Not located.
The city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was founded in 1749 as part of the plan to enchance British interests after the fall of Louisbourg and the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. A fleet of 13 transports and 1 sloop of war carried 2576 English settlers, who were soon followed by a number of New Englanders, principally from Massachusetts. By 1752 the population stood at 4268 ("History of Halifax City," Collections of the Nova Scotia Historical Society 8[1892–1894]).
RTP noted in his diary for Apr. 21 that James Freeman “satt sail for Hallifax." He was back in Boston before July 25 when he and RTP went to Cambridge.