Boston April 15th. 1760 Sr.,

I wrote you last Octr. by Capt. Jones relating to the Concerns between us, and hoped 'ere this time to have had the pleasure of hearing from you. I really have great Occasion for the money and should be obliged to you if you would let me have it as soon as you can. My letter in October made some proposals relative to the payment, concerning which you'll please to let me know your mind by the first Oppertunity. Mean while I rest yr. Most hble. sert.,

RTPAINE

LbC ; addressed: 'To Mr. Benja. Leigh at Halifax."

Boston April 25th. 1760 Sr.,

After due Compliments, I would take the liberty to refer you to a letter I wrote you last Octr. relating to Mr. Freemans Widow. I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you on that Or any other Subject Since, but the Widow by frequent Letters stirs up my Compassion & the Nature of the thing requires Something to be done specificly. My humble petition therefore is that you would not only excuse the great trouble I give you but Remove the cause which lays so heavily on my spirits & obliges me to think of the thing in earnest. I can't possibly see Halifax any more & hope I shall find that assistance that will render it needless. Wishing you Success & happiness I subscrie yr. Obligd. hble. sert.

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Malachi Salter Esqr. at Halifax."

Abington April 29th. 1760 Sr.,

I have recd. yr. favrs. of 27th. 28th. & 29th Curt.1 the same day they were wrote. Your horse I shall send per Noah Pratt. I dread you shd. see Him horse for he is yet but begining to thrive, he has been tended in the best manner, the very best English hay, water'd & Curyed twice a day & with all this care he would have died, had he have been Confin'd one Week more in a Barn. Neither Oats or Rye are to be bot. here or he should have had his Belly full.

What you mention abt. the Indigo Surprises me, it bears the best Carracter here, People Come ten miles after it & give me 80/ pr. without grumbling. 'Tis possible the Bottom of the Cask was a baser sort, if so I was Cheated but be it as it will yr. money you shall have soon. I have now £200 Counted out for you but Pratt has Lately serve me such a Trick about money that I dare not send it by him, I Expect to send it by Jos. Brown. If he fails me I will come on purpose. Your sister is so ill that I dare not Leave her a Night otherwise should have been in Town before.

187

Pray tell Enoch I would have him sell the Indigo if it be for 45/ (thefirst Cost) & pay you the Money. I'm unwilling you shd. be disapointed as yr. aim was to Serve me. I hope Fullerton & Sprague will Trade. I'm Sorry yr. Schemes Fail; they are a kind of Rock on which I build, so that I hope they will not fail finally

But.— Mans foresight is Conditionally wise; His Wisdom into Folly turns oft, the first instant, it's fair Idea To Labouring tho't is born. How dim our Eyes! The present moment terminates our Sight; Clouds, thick as those on doomsday, drown the next; We penetrate, We prophesy in Vain.2 I am &c. J: GREENLEAF

PS Mr. Porters affair is to be setled by Arbitration. I could send you another £100, but Rates & Excise are demanded & you know "Nothing is so sure as Rates."

Pray Tell me, Is it best to advise you to Marry? You certainly would have a Use for yr. cast off clothes, at lest you would not be Importun'd for them. This comes wth. a Petition from yr. Sister for an old Coat if you have no other, or better use for it you are Convinc'd of the truth of the following Scrap.—Non nati Sumus.3

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine Attourney Boston"; endorsed. Financial calculations on verso.

1.

Letters not found.

2.

Quotation not identified.

3.

We have not been born.