Groton Novr: 4: 1749 Dear Sr.,

By these you may know that notwithstanding I have not wrote to you lately yet the memory of you is not quite erased from my mind as also the reason why I did not visit you in your illness was not because I could not ly by the fire or on the ground but because I had the happiness to hear that you was recover'd before an opportunity presented in that I could not borrow an horse however I wrote you a Letter Consolatory which no doubt you have receiv'd. I was at your hond. Fathers & Dined with him & the lovely pair then lately yoked (to whome I wish fecundity & all other blessings tho' I had not the confidence or rather the impudence audibly to wish it then, for the best of reasons remembering sins of omission are less than Commission) the day after you hoisted sail for Lunenburge.1 I was very sorry for my disappointment for I have many things to say to you which my time would fail to write. Kind Sr. as I know not how I can make you a visit shortly (tho' I purpose it as soon as possible) so I desire (not to say beseech) the favour of one from you: and as our Lecture is next week on thursday & the general Thanks-giving the week after so either of those days will be very opportune.2 But Let not the purpose of a visit prevent your writeing. As to remarkeables; I know of none save our good friends were well at College when I was down & I was very Lucky at Mr. William's clearing out: I suppose you heard of the absconding of one of our Class-mates Father for debt3—Quid non mortalia pectora Cogis auri sacra egestas.4

I am Just dipping in the study of Divinity among my other Studies and am ready to guess it is a profound abyss but a delectable scene of Christ-exalting wonders wc. may fill the soul with sweet surprise.

Sr., I must repeat my request for a visit before I subscribe your true friend and Servt.,

SAMLL. HAVEN

N.B. I have no need to desire you to write all remarkable as how you like &c.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr; Robert-Treat Paine School=master for Lunenburge These"; endorsed.

1.

After his sister's wedding, RTP left Boston for the return journey to Lunenburg on Oct. 20 (RTP, Diary).

72 2.

RTP went to Groton on Nov. 15, the day before the Annual Thanksgiving and returned to Lunenburg on the 17th.

3.

Not identified, although RTP's own father would soon leave town to avoid creditors (see Joseph Greenleaf to RTP, Dec. 6, 1749).

4.

Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra fames? Accursed thirst of gold! to what dost not thou compel the human breast? Virgil, Æniad, 3:57.

Boston Novmb: 9. 1749 Dear Brother,

I was much gratified some days ago with a short Letter from you, I shou'd have been glad to have wrote to you then but my time was short and I Could not attend it.

I rejoice at your health and wellfare and hope it will be Continued to you. As to our affairs they are much perplex'd at present, for we live wholly at uncertaintys but the time is hastening which must deside them for the ship is to Sayl next week if nothing unforeseen prvent. There is nothing Concluded about a place for ——r1 which gives me great uneasiness for F——2 designs by driving it off till the last to Leave her with us, for which I am Sorry (as you may judg) Since tis against her will.

Dear Brother I wish you Could be with us once more while we are together Since tis so uncertain whether we shall ever meet again, but if Providence denies us that Pleasure here on earth I hope we shall injoy it with the adition of Perfect and Endless happiness in a far better World for which I hope we are all preparing. My time is short & I must conclude your Sincere Friend & Loving Sisster,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

PS. I design by the next opertunity to Send your Wastecoat and some new Stockings. I intend to take all that belongs to you home to my house.

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

1.

Sister, i.e. Eunice Paine, who was sixteen years old at the time.

2.

Father's. Thomas Paine was contemplating a voyage to the Carolinas; see his letter to RTP of Nov. 27. 1749.