Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1

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From William Downe

Downe, William RTP

Jan. 1749/50

ARMA VIRUMQ CANO1

Amice,2 To tell of wondrous facts which were begun With how great Zeal and Courage carry'd on With solemn Phiz; and Arms extended high Each party strives the Other to Outvie Must with the greatest Prudence be related Since We Are BRETHEN, being all created The Brutes with equal Right may kindred claim Where nothing makes the Diff'rence but the Name As some Mens thoughts and actions fully prove So Brutal Herd, are Idle till they're Drove. But to the point in hand I fain would come Without the Trumpetts Sound, or noise of Drums 99 'Tis this in short; Sol scarce his head had rear'd Before a Num'rous Multitude appear'd At place appointed: to hear each man say Or rather, him who'd bear the greatest Sway In CONFUS'D Silence, much was there related After things were propos'd and Questions Stated (To inform you I do not intend hereby But only to whett up your Memory) Many were angry, some did frett and Scold Some contradicted what the 'Other told Till ROGER made appearance, fix'd in BOTTLE Who settled points that just before did Tottle And soon obtain'd an Universal Voice Made Opposite Parties, in Once Scheme rejoyce. Thus I hav finish'd all that lay before us Nothing remains but that we have the CHORUS. Yours, W—— D——3

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine Living at Mr Fuller's in Lunenburg QDC"; endorsed: "Wm. Downe junr. Jan. 1749.50."

"Arms and the man I sing." Virgil, the opening words of the Æneid.

Friend.

William Downe (1719–1759) graduated from Harvard in 1738 and preceded RTP as schoolmaster in Lunenburg. He became a member of the school committee and was later elected representative, selectman and town clerk. He here describes in verse a typical town meeting (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 10:286–287).

From William Downe

Downe, William RTP

Jan. 31, 1749/50 Amice Dilecta,1

Scarce had I heard the news, news truly grievous of your Losing Vitæ, tuæ, & Viæ directo ac2 before I received your Letter wch. contributed much Joy & Satisfaction. O Unhappy me, that I should be instrumentall in any measure of causing the said Disaster, certe non voluntè.3 Had you laboured under the dreadfull pain of a Boyl just arrived to ripeness & standing in need of Evacuation, you might have supposed my designs to have been for your Comfort. But—If you had taken out your tellescope you might easily have discovered those mountains you100attack'd, and most agreeably have trodden the beaten road via trita semper tuta.4 Well for you, that you looked for your Dilectum before Apollo 'Woke for he had laugh'd to 'seen how Luna had deceived you. But that you may have more comfort the next time you travell that Road I promise you, that I will putt on my Square toe'd Shoes and beat down every Hillock in the Road from Stem to Steam. Excuse shortness of Letter and every imperfection being in the midst of Study and Contemplation but now and att all times remaining your assured Friend And most humbl. Servant

HENRICUS SECUNDUS ARMIGER5

RC ; addressed:“To Mr. R:, T; P; P.D;D:, F,R,S.6 apud Lunenburgium Provinciæ Massachusettensis in Nov: Anglia"; endorsed: "Wm Downe junr. Jany. 31. 1749."

Beloved friend.

Your life and way directly.

Surely they do not want.

The worn path is always safe.

Henry the Second, knight.

Whimsical attributions to RTP's prominence as Doctor of Pedagogy (Pd.D.) and Fellow of the Royal Society (F.R.S.).