Bath Town Pamplicoe River North Carolina March 8 1752 Sr.,

I have not as yet wrote you1 any thing concerning my Proceedings, not having had any thing very Material to write. I arrived at Bath the 3d. Instant. I apply'd to Capt. Coutanch & understood that he had not got Tarr in his Hands but only Notes for 165 Blls. of Tarr wch. Notes I believe are good & I doubt not but I shall get the Tarr seasonably. The Market price of Tar here is 50/ so that you having yours at 45/ have the Advan-152tage of us therein. I have not Expos'd yr. Sugar to sale nor yet got it ashore, being Much pestered for a store for my Goods. I shall make all Speed I possibly can, & write for a Vessell as soon as I am Possessor of a Load. I doubt not but you'll consult with Mr. Darrall Seasonbly about a proper Vessell so as that there may be no Delay as soon as I am Ready. No more at present but Remain yr. much obliged humble Servt.,

ROBERT-TREAT PAINE

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. William Fisher junr."

1.

William Fisher (1726–1770), a Boston merchant, was one of the backers of RTP's 1752 voyage to the Carolinas. His letterbook for 1761–1770 and his will are at the MHS.

Bath-Town March 9.1752 Sr.,1

When I was at Newbern the last Year, I took a Note of Abra: Sheppard junr. of Contenecte2 for some Goods I sold him to the Value of £12.9.11 Proc. Before I went out of the Country I went to his House, he gave me the inclos'd Note of Hand of John Lanes in favr. of him Endors'd to me for 55 Galls. of WE India Rum, wch. is worth 5/4 a Gall. here. I left it in the Country but Nothing was done. I now Make bold to send it to you (thinking that you know the Man) Asking it as a Favr. that you would be pleas'd to transact the Matter for me, for my Business will not suffer me to be at Newbern. If he should not be at Court be pleas'd to send the Papers back again that so I may take some other Method with him.

Sr. if you'll transact this Matter for me you'll add one more obligation to many all ready recd. by yr. much obliged humble Servt.,

ROBERT-TREAT PAINE

LbC ; addressed: "To Jos. Balch Esqr. Mercht. at Newbern"; no LbC of enclosure.

1.

Joseph Balch, merchant and justice of the peace of Craven County, North Carolina, was a large landholder in the county and served as a commissioner on navigation for Port Beaufort (Colonial Records of North Carolina, 4:759. 805, 23:375).

2.

Now Contentnea Creek, a branch of the Neuse River.