Bath Town North Carolina, June 1 1752 Mr. Samll. Downes,

After I had wrote a Letter to you in Company I very Accidentally heard of the Death of Mr. Darrall,1 the Greif I was affected with on the News I shall not at this Time express to you. I hope before this Time you have Recd. my Letters desiring you to send me a Vessell, wch. Letters were dated April 15th. I hope likewise Sr. that you will not fail to send me the Rum I mentioned in my Letters, for If you168should I shall be much troubled to get out of the Country. I am very sensible that the Death of Mr. Darrall & the Spreading of the Small Pox must hinder you much in the prosecuting the design of this Voyage, but I hope you will consult with Mr. Fisher, & do the best you can that so I may not be kept longer in the Country than needs must. You may depend upon my Endeavours for the good of the Voyage here. I Remain yr. Freind & humble Servt.,

ROBT. TREAT PAINE

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Samll. Downes Mercht. at Boston."

1.

Henry Darrall died in Boston on Mar. 30, 1752.

Pamplico River. North Carolina June 1 1752 Sr.,

I this day very Accidently heard of the Death of Mr. Darrall, which News was very Unacceptable to me, & as he is Dead I hope Sr. you will take more upon you towards Dispatching me a Vessell, than otherwise you would have needed to have done. I hope none of my Letters have Miscarried, wch. I have taken care to forward to you every Opportunity. I hope a Vessell is dispatch'd before this Time, for my Life is not only very unpleasant but also unprofitable. I am Sr. yr. humble Servt.,

ROBERT TREAT PAINE

P.S. I hope to get good part of yr. Tar but fear shall not get all.

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Wm. Fisher junr. Mercht. in Boston."

Newport July 4th. 1752. Sir,

Finding an oppertunity here per Capt: Trowbridge I embrace it to inform you of the Scituation of our Carolina affairs in Boston, verry breifly as the Vessell is now under Sail.

We received your several Letters, & agreeable to your desire I procur'd a Sloop about a Month past; Actually agreed with the Master She should go; but the Small Pox unfortunately breaking out Among his hands quite overturn'd the Affair. As I thought I was sure of her I engaged in a Trip169to N: York so far as that I was Obliged to proceed (Altho: the Vessell disappointed us) & am now on my departure there from hence; however I have engaged your Brother1 to assist in my Room, & just before I came away they told me they were agreeing with Capt. Morton2 & Mr. Kneeland3 to send the Sloop Morton Commanded, & they thought they were sure of her, as they determin'd to come up to his Terms if he wou'd not come down, that I think you may on good grounds expect She saild from Boston about this time, but if she shou'd fail (which I cant think) they assur'd me they wou'd get one immediately. I did every thing in my Power to get a Vessell, & wish some other Persons wou'd Exert themselves as much now, as I did when I was in Boston.

Mr. Downs assur'd me all the Goods were ready, You wrote for. I am in hast Sr. Yr. most Obt. Servt.,

WILLM. FISHER

RC ; addressed: "Capt. Treat Pain."

1.

Joseph Greenleaf.

2.

Probably Edmund Morton (d. 1786), mariner of Boston (Thwing Index).

3.

John Kneeland (1694–1774), Boston merchant (Thwing Index).