Boston Feb: 2. 1749 1748/9 Dear Brother,

Neither buisiness nor pleasure are able to hinder me from Sending a Speedy answer, to raise your dejected Spirits by dispeling the tormenting thoughts which I find has invaided your wonted Serenity. I Can easily judg what your uneasiness must be by what I felt so Lately and rejoice that is in my power to give you ease so much Sooner than I obtain'd it for it was Seven days that I Spent in the most terible Reflections that ever I knew; hope and fear kept an Alternate Strife in my tortur'd breast which I often thought was worse than a Certainty of the event Shou'd it prove as I fear'd; but how great was my joy when I heard it Contradicted by him who best knew, and was alone able to disapate my fears. Aunt Eunice heard the shocking news and came to know if we were ignorant of it but when she found we knew so much she resolv'd to tell him what she heard before us which, he receiv'd with So pleasant a Countenance and Contradict'd it so plainly adding that if there was no other disproportion, that of age was Sufficient to have made us Sure it was false.1

I'll Leave you to judg how great a Change was wrought in my breast that moment, and I hope these Lines will have the Same Effect upon you for the tender Sympathy I have for you is so great that while I know you are in trouble I Cant have ease; Especialy when a relief is in my power, and how ungenerous wou'd the Contrary be when you express so much more Concern for me than for your Self when you thought our Safety in danger.

I am in haste and must conclude by joining with you in recommending all our affairs to the protection of him who orders all our Changes for us and who is the best judg of our interest and join my petition with yours for the blessings of the invisible, rather than this present passing world. I Remain your Oblidg Sisster,

ABIGAIL PAINE

PS Pray dont deprive me of the pleasure of Seeing you Longer then next week. I shou'd be much delighted with perusing anything of yours that my Shallow mind can Comprehend the depth of which you can easily judg.

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

1.

The family was worrying apparently about Thomas Paine's remarrying.