Boston July 6th 1759 Dear Eunice,

I just received yours1 & the hose. Am obliged to you for yr. Care, & most tenderly affected with yr. indisposition. I fear the disorder is in yr. mind, & that the remedy must be applied there, & as you are at a place where I expected you would meet with soothing Applications so I am very sorry you are so soon disposed to leave them, not but that I am ready to wait upon you. I have been to Dorchester & have taken pains to find a place. Heard of one 1/2 a mile from the Meeting & 20 Rods from Salt Water; Tom. Allen has spoke to them but at present they can't take you; have heard of several other places but the Weather has been so bad I could not go but purpose to this PM if fair. I shall make no bargain but only see what can be done leaving all the rest to you. Mrs. Hurd expects you, but what will so poor a creature do; O Love thou Dreggs of Adams Fall, thou last Curse in Pandora's box; I can't say I pity you I did that , 'tis more I'm tortur'd on yr. account, would to Heavens I could cure you. Mirth Amusement I believe is the best remedy; as for yr. coming, the next week court sets here & having matters of Consequence I cant promise any time certain but youll suit your own Conveniency & get to German Town & I don't doubt you'll easily get to Town. Let me know of yr. being there & Ill engage it. Yr. mindfull & (unhappy me severely) sincere Brother, (for if I could talk soft things without meaning or design I should be much better liked) & hble. Sert.

R. T. PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine to be left at Mr. Joseph Greenleaf's at Abington;" endorsed.

1.

Not located.

Halifax July 21. 1759 Dear Sir,

Your Friendly Letter1 I2 have recieved. My deplorable Blank I do as heartily regret as any Occurrence of my past Life. Miss Porter's Weight (as you justly observe) is increasing, and for this very Reason Mine would decrease should there be a Conjunction of our Corporeal Force in145the Matrimonial Way. I rejoice at your Southern Intelligence, for had I been Noticed at all I fear it would have disserved rather than promoted my Moral Character.

In our Dearth of News we greedily recieve a Fisherman's Report, that a French 74 Gun Ship is taken, and carried into Louisbourg Harbour. Nothing as yet from Canada. You have undoubtedly heard of a Ship siezed in this Harbour, and Condemned; bound from Oporto with Wine & Fruit and designed to join Admiral Saunder's Fleet, being owned by some Gentlemen with him; the Master of the Ship had the Admiral's Certificate for his Illicit Trade. She is said to be Worth 4000£ Sterling.

Let me depend upon your Epistolary, and most Exhilerating Correspondence. I am with great Sincerity your Friend and Servant,

JOHN BROWNE

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine Attorney at Law In Boston. Pr. Favr. Captn. Jones"; endorsed with notes by RTP in undeciphered shorthand.

1.

Not located.

2.

John Brown (1724–1791), a 1741 graduate of Harvard and minister of the First Congregational Society of Cohasset, served as a chaplain of a provincial regiment at Halifax, Mar. to Nov. 1759. For a time he signed his name "Browne" (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 11:12–17).