Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
What Circumstances you may be in, I don't know, but I hope not very bad. I have taken a great many Opportunitys to write to you, but have never recd. one Line from you tho' you have had many Opportunitys. I hope you dont want to see me, as I do you. If you do, you are very uneasy; I live here on the Borders of Purgatory, the worst Climate perhaps under the Heavens covers. It has been so hot for this month past incessantly, that People have scarce lived. The very Cats172have loll'd out their Tongues. The Nights are if possible hotter than the Days & now this Day all of a sudden is so cold, I have on a thick Coat & Jackett. I have had my Health very well hitherto, but am all over bespatter'd with the prickly Heat wch. all people that will be well here must have. I have taken the utmost Care of my Health, but in spight of all, the other day out in the Creeks taking care of my Tar I drank so much Water that I made my self sick & disordered my Bowells. I took a Purge & the next day a Vomit wch. brought me to my senses again. Thus you see I take timely Care of my self, but I would not have tarried so long for half the Cargo, could I have help'd it. Pray desire the Gentlemen My Owners to send me a Vessell speedily for I am in Tribulation.
Pray Remr. me to all Freinds, my Duty to my Father. I hope to see you all ere Long. From yr. Loving Brother Friend & humble Servt.,
N:B I am as Ragged as a Bear from Head to Foot. I hope I am not always to spend my Life so.
I have been a long Time in very Uneasy Circumstances Expecting a Vessell. How the Matter may be I dont know, but I hope that if the Vessell be come you have sent me things that I have wrote to you for. The Times are Very distressing I believe in Boston, but I hope that you & yr. Family have not had more Affliction than you have been able to bear. I long to hear from you & pray you to write by any Vessell that may be a coming this way.
I am in good Health, no thanks to the Country for that. My Love & Service to Mr. Cranch & yr. Wife. Remr. me to all. I am yr. very Freind & humble Servt.,