London Decr. 11th. 1760 Dear Sir,

You will have heard, before this reaches you, of our falling into the hands of the French; which was on the 15th. Septr. about an hundred Leagues to the Westward of Scilly. After four Days, a Dutch Ship appearing, I had liberty to go on board, & went to Amsterdam; and after about a Months Stay in Holland, embarqued in a Pacquet for England. When I came to London I found your Letter1 by Calef at Mr. Richardsons, and agreeable to your Desire, ordered the Odd Volume of Reports, with a Treatise on the Passions, for you. I believe the last is not what you designed, but my Bookseller Says he does not know any Book with the exact Title you gave. That put up was wrote by Hutcheson2, Professor at Glasgow, and is in repute; but if it does not suit, your not taking it will be no detriment to me. As for the other, if I can find it, it shall be sent. Rhodes was full sooner than we expected; so that my Trunks of Books could not be taken in, which is a great disappointment to me, and will be so to others who expected their Books soon. However there are several Vessells up for Boston; in one of which we shall Ship in a short Time.

As I shall send Mrs. Condy3 many of the newest & best Books, you will do me a friendly office, by informing your Acquaintance; by which she may be helped to some Custom.

I shall be glad of a Letter from you, which you may deliver Mrs. Condy for Conveyance. If you will give me the news of the Town I shall take it as a favour, and be pleasd to remember that the minutest Things respecting my Friends will give pleasure at such a Distance.

As to political and Military affairs & Events, the public Papers will give you them from hence, better than I can; otherwise I should not grudge the Pains of writing about them.

I have had an invitation into Somerset to spend a few Weeks, and may perhaps accept it.

I condole with you heartily, and with Dr. Mayhew4, and his Congregation, on the Death of Judge Sewall.5 His Death is indeed a great Loss to the whole Province. Pray who is to be his Successor on the Bench.6 I am, Sir, with real Esteem yr. Friend & humble servt.,

JEREMY CONDY

RC ; addressed: 'To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine Attorney at Law Boston p. Rhodes"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

Francis Hutcheson (1694–1746) taught moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow from 1729 until his death. Among his published writing was An essay on the nature and conduct of the passions and affections (London, 1728), which went through many editions.

3.

Sarah (Drowne) Condy (1725–1773) was the daughter of Boston's well-known metalworker and weathervane-maker Shem Drowne. She married Condy in 1743 and after his death married in 1770 Dr. William Lee Perkins of Boston (Thwing Index).

4.

Jonathan Mayhew (1720–1766).

5.

Stephen Sewall (1702–1760), chief justice of Massachusetts, died Sept. 10, 1760. He was characterized by his pastor in the West Church, Jonathan Mayhew, as a "true patriot, a lover of his country, its laws and liberties; and an enemy to all tyranny and tyrants" (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 6:561–567).

6.

Thomas Hutchinson succeeded Stephen Sewall as chief justice on Nov. 13, 1760.