Lancaster September the 29. 1755 Mr: Concellor Sr.,

These (by Mr. White), I send just to let you know that I still continue a Tenant at Sufferance in the great Hall you and I Possessed before your Departure, 1 as Joint Tenants, and may the Time soon come when we shall enjoy it again in the Same Condition, or else I shall quickly leave it, I once thought that I was calculated for a Solatary Life, but I now find that I am not possessed of that Philosophic Disposition that is requisite to make Solitude agreable. I have not made any Excursion Since your Departure either Corporally or Mentally and so cannot inform you of any thing worthy of your Curious & Inquisitive Mind. I hear that Mrs. Anglia had entered her Action before your Arrival and that Mrs. Gallia finding out some defect in the Declaration has put in Some Pleas in Abatement, one of which has some time since been Argued but what was my Ld. Chief Justice Mars Judgement upon them I cannot as yet fully learn, but I hope as we are all waiting with Impatience to hear the result of this grand Debate you will report the same as soon as Time will Permit & convey the same to me as quick as you can conve-310niently, And in the mean time I shall continue big with Expectation yr. Solatary Friend & humbl. Servent,

A WILLARD

Give my Love to my Brother & tell him that I should have wrote to him had I known Mr. White would have gone so soon but I have not time now.

RC . RTP's answer dated Oct. 14,1755, is on the verso of this letter; see below, under date.

1.

RTP left for Albany from Lancaster on Sept. 12 in company with Col. Samuel Willard and a Doctor Phipps. Proceeding by way of Petersham, Deerfield, and Charlemont, they arrived in Albany on Sept. 17, putting up at Robert Lotteridge's Tavern. While in Albany, RTP visited the various churches, apparently made some female acquaintances, and witnessed the arrival of the captured Baron Dieskau, commander of the French force that had fought a drawn battle with the provincials under Maj. Gen. William Johnson at Lake George on Sept. 8. RTP and Colonel Willard left Albany on Sept. 20, and proceeded north by easy stages, passing through Saratoga and Fort Edward, to the camp at Lake George close to where a fort, later called Fort William Henry, was being built. RTP carried out his duties as chaplain here from Sept. 25 until Nov. 27, recording in his diary the daily happenings in camp. When it was decided to abandon the expedition against Crown Point because of the lateness of the season and for other reasons, RTP left for home on Nov. 27, reaching Lancaster on Dec. 20.

Albany Sep. the 30th. 1755 Dear Sr.,

I 1 have been Pleased ever Since You Was at Albany with the thots. of Being at the Camp till Last Night When I Reced. Absolute orders from my Father to Tarry at Allbany Till his orders Came to me to the Contrary.

But Notwithstanding the Distance Between us is So Great, I Still Remember Samall Aquaintance We had While You was at Albany, 2 and Hartyly Wish You Health and Prosperity in this and all Other of Yr. Undertakeings and that the Best of Heavens Blessings may Attend You.

I gave Yr. Complaments to the two Young Ladys With a Most Delicious Kiss Which Was really Sweeter than Honey. Limes and Limmons are Exceeding Scarce But if any is to be had Will Send You Som. I am agoing to See if I Can find any But if they Cannot you must Except the will for the Deed. For Where a thing is Wanting the King must Loose his Right. As for Newes Please to Enquire of my Father Who Can I Beleve Inform you all thats Worth ahearing. Nothing is New at Allbany. Please to Give311my Complyments to Colo. Willard and Except the Same Yr. Self from me Who am Yr. Most Obediant Huml. Sert.,

JOSEPH BLANCHARD

PS: I Did not Write this Scrap to read mySelf that's a Task for you. Excuse What is a Mis I am In the Greatest Hurry, Haveing 100 Sick men Calling on me Who Say they have No Wheither else to go,

JB

Sr., Since I Wrote the Within Precept have Seen the two Who Desired me to Make their Compliments (to you) agreeble. Limes are Not to be had. I woud be Glad of a Line from you per the first Oppertunity How things goes on at the Camp & How you are, Shall be Greatly full. Presented by yr. Very Huml. Sert.,

J BLANCHARD

RC ; endorsed.

1.

Joseph Blanchard (1729–?), son of Col. Joseph Blanchard of the New Hampshire regiment, was later known as a skillful surveyor in New Hampshire (Ezra S. Stearns, Early Generations of the Founders of Old Dunstable [Boston, 1911], 9).

2.

RTP recorded in his diary while at Albany, Sept. 19, 1755: "din'd with Joseph Blanchard Esqr. at Rev. Mr. Oglesby's."