Boston July 1. 1755 Dear Brother,

It wou'd be with great pleasure that I write to you if I Could Collect my thoughts and throw them into any kind of order but my Curcumstances together with that of my familys ingross So great a part of my attention that tis almost impossible to disengage my thoughts from these Constant Cares So as to offer any thing worthy your perusal. All that gives me any hopes of entertaning you in a manner any ways agreable is that I remember how far you interest yourself in my affairs and being so Censere a friend I take it for granted that you will overlook all foibles and join with me in rejoiceing and mourning whether the manner of relating my pleasing or adverse fortune be so agreable to one of your turn of mind and different Curcumstances in life. I wou'd have you look upon me as a Sister who is traviling on with her life in her hand not Expecting to write much less to see you again before she must be call'd at best to Step over the grave for so my approaching hour always appears to me.1 I do not express myself in this manner from any vapource notion but the result of Calm reason. I think it my Duty to be in readyness at279this time more Especialy and tho' I dont shudder at the thought of my disolution as many others do yet bringing the prospect near tends to a Serious behaviour and you must expect nothing from me but what is So, as these are my thoughts of myself I wou'd have you think of me in this manner, pitty my infimitys and add your petitions for my welfare whether a longer Continuance is Determinied for in this life or a quick removal to the unknown world of Spirrits. I have many things to render thanks for to a kind Providence in perticular the health of my family and my friends abroad. Capt. Jones arriv'd last Sunday from Hallifax.2 We've no letters by him but news that father was well. He was hurried away to bring a pacquet Containing Admiral Boscowen's Victory over the french fleet.3 These perticulars you have or will hear more perfectly than I can repeat them. He informs that: Father had made application to the Chief judg to have the Oath given him for attorney at Law. It was Consented to and he was to have it Soon. This being a Secret in his own breast I suppose Occasioned a letter of Mr. Freemans, the last week wherein he says he has Convers'd with him upon your affairs and many others at Mr. Greenleafs request, but Could get no answer but as soon as he could obtain anything to the purpose shou'd Communicate it. He arriv'd in five days after he left us and has recover'd his health well. Sister has left us to asssist Mrs. Palmer who is very low in health. She was waiting an Opertunity to get to Weymouth when Mr. Palmer Sent (last Saturday was Sevennight) his Chaise to Carry her down. But I hear this Day that Mrs. Palmer is much better and Sister well for her. I dont expect that she will Leave Mrs. Palmer very soon but hope t'will be for her health to tarry there. Mr. Cranch has been very ill but is Somthing better. His disorder was his old Asmatick Complaint. It grows Somthing late. I Shall only add a peice of news that to me is Malencholy. Capt. Codman departed this life yesterday having been ill with a cholick ever Since you drank tea with him.4

I Send your thread Stockins, your Shirts and other things will be ready soon. I wish you a good night and rest your Freind & Sister,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine att Lancaster"; endorsed.

1.

Abigail Paine Greenleaf was delivered of her fourth child, a son, on July 18. Thomas Greenleaf (1755–1798) studied printing with Isaiah Thomas and had a shop in Boston until the Revolution. In 1785 he moved to New York and continued his business there (DAB).

2.

"Yesterday Afternoon Capt Jones arrived here in 8 days from Halifax, and has bro't Dispatches for his Excellency our Governor." (Boston Gazette, June 30, 1755).

280 3.

Edward Boscawen (1711–1761), commanding the British squadron in North American waters, took two ships of the French navy off the St. Lawrence River on June 10, 1755, but most of the supply convoy evaded him (DNB).

4.

Capt. John Codman (1698–1755), a Charlestown merchant, was poisoned by three of his black household slaves. Two were tried for petit treason in the only known case of this charge in Massachusetts. They were both executed, the man by hanging and the woman by burning at the stake. The third servant probably gave evidence against the others and was transported. A detailed description of the case and testimony is in MHS Proceedings, 1st ser., 20(1882–1883): 104–105, 122–157.

Boston July the 2 1755 Sir,

Your Question you sent to Cushing1 is unconstruable by us. Therefore I should be glad if you wd. send it in English since it will procure him so much renown. You have by my Brother that Female & Male Instrument you wrote for.

I have not Time at Present to tell you all the good Tidings that we have from abroad, but you may hear the most material of my Brother or you must wait till I come which wont be till after Commencement, unless you can perswade Levi to ride down in his Chair next Week, so that I may ride up with him & have the happiness of coming down with you the Week after to Commenct.2 Yr. Friend

A WILLARD

N.B. If you can think of any good Questions for me send them down by Levi or any Body else that will come down before next Wednesday.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine at Lancaster"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

RTP attended Harvard commencement on July 16, then visited friends and family at Germantown and Weymouth, and returned to Lancaster on the 19th.

Lancaster July 5th. 1755 Sr.,

I recd. yr. Engaging Adress1 & with An inexpressible Eagerness skipt over its Harmonious Numbers & well tun'd Accents. The Elegance of the Expression & the easiness of the Metre, wafted my Soul & Captivated all my Senses, but when I mus'd on the Justness of yr. Sentiments & trac'd yr. Thoughts thro' the wide Expance of Freindship yr. Numbers281with their beauty faded & yr. Description with all its Delicacy pall'd on my Over loaded Mind which Staggerd under the Burthen of yr. well chosen Subject. Had I the fam'd Maonian Muse, or glow'd my Breast wth. Homers Fire, or rather thee 0 Milton ah could I reach thy Strain, I might attempt to answer yr. Description & dress my thoughts worthy yr. perusal. Worthy your perusal? But could I then equall the Subject? No Nor even describe the invigorating Effect it had on my benighted Soul, which had long Wander'd, like a heathen Departed Spirit Unburied, tho' by the side of a beauteous River yet So much the greater the curse that while in Paradise I can find neither Eve nor other generous Freind. Hail well met pair, destin'd to be happy if you are not wilfull. I esteem my Self happy in yr. Correspondence & more so in yr. Company. Remember me to Dr. Tufts & to all the sons & Daughters of Freindship & Suffer me to Subscribe my Self a Posthumous Son of that Goddess tho' rusticated for misdemeanor & yr. much obliged humble Serv.,

R.T. PAINE

Dft ; at head of text: "Answer to S Q of June 27. 1755."

1.

Two poems by Quincy, endorsed by RTP as "Satyrs," and both dated June 27, are in the RTP Papers.