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.

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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.

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Letters not found.

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Quotation not identified.

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We have not been born.

Newpt. Nova Scotia 4th May 60/– Dear Treat,

Yours of the 6th of Decr. & 2d. May Instant1 came safe to hand. I beg you woud not think I'm unmindfull of so worthy a friend, or insensible of the confidence you put in me, no less than the failure of the most earnest endeavors for intelligence in the affair you wrote about has kept me from writing you—as I was unwilling to write you without proper information though I coud'nt quicken the diligence of those employed to examin this Business. I have now the satisfaction to acquaint188you that I am told from persons on the spot that Philip Godfrey2 aforementioned died insolvent & what Estate belonged to Him was entirely Sunk in part discharge of his Debts. This fact (which I beleive may be depended on) you are sensible must silence all Claims in respect to inheritance. I sincerely wish for a speedy oppertunity of conversing with my good friend RTP.—but how soon is uncertain—make sincere regards to Dr. Wendell, Quinceys &c. &c. &c. The next oppertunity I hope will furnish a more Ample Letter—till when—continue me in you good wishes & beleive me your friend & Servt.

JAMES BRENTON

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Pain Attorney at Law Boston"; endorsed. On address leaf in RTP's hand: "Musidora a Nymph in the bloom of Youth at the."

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Not found.

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Not further identified.