Boston Sepr. 9th. 1755 Brother Treat,

I perceive per Colo. Willard that you are yet at Lancaster and in good health. I hope yr. Courage will Increase as the time of yr. approach to the Enemy hastens. Our Assembly you know have Voted 2000 Men1 to Joyn your Army and there seems a willingness thro'out this Town to Contribute all in their power towds. Effecting this Necessary Business. If Providence Should permit all the Troops destin'd for this307Expedition to meet together They will make a fine Appearance. My heart is with you, & could I bear the Fatigues of such a Campaign I'd not fail of being with you soon. I wish all Imaginable Success & hope there will be a Suteable dependance upon Providence apear in all the Army. Numbers & Strength without the Blessing of Heaven is not Sufficient to depend upon. It must be confes'd we have a fine Army, & it is in defence of their Libertys, both Civil & Religious, & for the Security of their Estates that the Chief of them take up Arms.

My Countrymen in general seem to have the true British Notion of Liberty and no doubt Jump in Judgment with the Poet when he says,

"The Love of Liberty, with Life is given, "And Life it self's th'Inferiour gift of heaven." Dryden2 "O give me Liberty, "For were even paradice it self a prison, "Still I should Long to Leap the Cristall walls." Dryden. 3

I hope you will inspire the Soldiers under your Care with Just Sentiments, & urge them to their duty from proper motives, & teach them their dependance upon God for Success. Who shall bring our Army into the Strong holds of our Enemys? Wilt not thou O God? &c. I forbear Lest I should be tho't to dictate being Sencible I now move in too Large a Circle. I hope you will not fail to write me every Opertunity from the Camp, & shall be uneasy to hear of your Success. I commit you to the Care of Providence & am yr. Loving brother,

JOS: GREENLEAF

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

1.

The Massachusetts General Court passed the act for raising 2,000 men on Sept. 8,1755 (Mass. Province Laws, 3:872–873).

2.

John Dryden, Palamon and Arcite: or, The Knight's Tale, Book 11, line 291.

3.

John Dryden, Don Sebastian, King of Portugal: A Tragedy (London, 1690 and later edns.), Act II, Scene I.