Boston Septr: 11: 1758 Madam,

I received yrs. per Mr. Ferguson & things you sent. I am very sorry to hear that Mr. Freeman kept no acct. of the things he sold at private sale, but in order to find out what they were I send by Mr. Fergurson an acct. of all the things he had in his Possession which I took when I was down there, & by comparing it with the account of things sold at vendue you may see what things were sold at private sale. As to the house, I have desired Capt. Jones who is coming there to look into the matter & enquire into the value of the New building. As to yr. coming to New England I really can't advise you if your were my nearest freind on Earth to come to Boston to live. Mr. Ferguson can give you an account in wt. a wretched Condition this Town is with regard to people who have their living to Earn. If I could see yr. way clear I should Advise you but I do think you'll do better where you are. You do wonder at my not coming down to Halifax. I should have been there before this time but my business has confind me so here that I could not leave it. But being in a poor state of health I believe I shall come down the latter End of October If I come at all but am not able to say certainly, & should be glad if you would make preparation to settle all our dealings & reduce them to a Certainty. I am glad to hear you enjoy yr. health & subscribe yr. most hble.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman at Halifax Per Mr. Ferguson."

Boston October 12th. 1758 Dear Eunice,

I have not heard directly from you since our return from Westward.1 Methinks by this time you have so nearly exhausted that fruitful Topic of conversation as to be able to afford a few minutes to write me yr. affairs. I have made repeated & diligent Enquiry after you but to no purpose. I hope 'tis owing to your high health that you are so unminful of me. For my part I have been exceeding poorly since my return. I had determined to go to Halifax but the Court is adjourn'd; wch.112will bring on the season so late as to make it uncomfortable to my relaxed Carcass; so I believe I shall defer it to spring, & mope away the Winter without the assistance of that health I hoped to gain by the Voyage. I have lost all the little relish I ever had for Company, & tho' the least able to bear it am now the most dispos'd to perpetual posing & recluse Speculations. I should have visited you last Saturday but had no conveyance. I have seen nothing of the Butcher, Burril. Pray write me wt. you have done abt. it, tho' I believe I must see him myself. Mrs. Putnam is delivered of a fine (no doubt) Boy. Mr. Paine is recovring; I am amazed at the connection, sentiment & good writing of this Epistle, undesigned too. I naturally am a clever fellow but the Law has play'd the De'll with me & I wish the De'll had it; I am sure this Letter deserves one of your best Answers especially wn. I add that I receive no Bodys Letters with more Expectation or read them with more Satisfaction than I do yrs. I have made 20 determinations one way & another relating to living this winter. I'm half crazy. O! for some Hermits Cell. I shall come to it by & by. My Complements, &c. &c. Yrs. as usual

R. T. PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Mrs. Eunice Paine at Weymouth": endorsed.

1.

RTP and Eunice Paine left for Worcester on Sept. 20 and, after visiting Lancaster, returned to Boston on Sept. 28 according to his diary.