Charlestown 8th. June 1764. Dearly Beloved Bror. Robert,

I suppose before this Time you have seen & read with a proper Mixture of Indignation & Contempt, the low, pitiful, Grubstreet, Billinsgate, rascally, dastardly, Indian-like, c-rs-d, d-'d impudent attack upon our right, noble selves. Be he Captain or Doctor, I set him down for a mean cowardly Scoundrel—a base born Son of Darkness—a Savage Sculking D—l.1

And what vex's me to the Guts, more than this unknown Whelp's Impudence, is the egregious Stupidity of some of my Countrymen, who are so303blinded by the Father of this notable Lyar, the God of this World, as really to to think it a smart performance. I have no patience to hear the dirtyest of all the dirty Scrouls that ever the dirtyest Jokes produced, trumpeted up as the Mirror of Wit. All this Novanglian Geniuses have in their Turns been guess'd at as the Author of a scurrilous piece, for which, had any porter on the Docks scribled it, he ought to have been strip'd of his Badge, & kick'd into the Kennel.

I have sent a few Lines to the press calling on him for his Name, which is all the notice I think proper to take of it, unless I can find him out; but if I do, I dont know but I shall make a Journey to Taunton purely to join with you in lampooning the Dog. I am in a hurry, or should write many Things to you. Pray let me have a Line from you that I may know what your Feelings are upon this Occasion. If you find out the Author let me know him—& if I am so lucky as to ken him, you may depend on a Line post haste from Your Friend & Bror.

JON: SEWALL

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine Esqr. In Taunton"; endorsed.

1.

The letters by "Philanthropos," which attacked William Greenleaf and his defenders, was dated at Cambridge May 25, 1764, and appeared in the Boston Gazette of May 28, June 18, and July 16, 1764. Sewall submitted his challenge to reveal the identity of "Philanthropos" on June 11, signing as "S.P."

Sewall himself used the pseudonym "Philanthrop" for a series of articles defending Governor Bernard, published in the Boston Evening Post between Dec. 1, 1766, and Mar. 2, 1767 (Adams, Diary, 1:329).

Philaa. June 14, 1764 Respectd Friend Robt. Treat Paine,

I Reced. thine of May 30th. post & Note the Contents. Had heard Before, that N. White was Dead. As I had no Other View in Lending him Cash, & Insure his Vessell, by his Desire than Really Serving him & his family, I now Inclose his Bond wth. Orders for the Insurance Charg'd, & Coppy of the Sum Insurd & by Whom, wch. I hope may be sufficient, Proof of my Generosity & hope thoul be Abel to Gett me Satisfaction. I Send them to Boston to the Care of Henry Laughton or Scott & Gill to be Sent thee Imediatly. One of the Evidences to the Prior marriage of John Wormly is Expectd in Town soon, When I shall gett her Proof Before a Notary Publick & send thee,304I never Reced. a Penny or Pennysworth from N. White Since he left I had a Letter from him from N. Carolina, 2 or 3 from Teneriff & 2 or 3 from London, Wherein he Confesses my kindness & Promisis to make me ample amends. I am thy Friend

RICH SMITH

Be carefull of the bond & other Papers.

R.S.

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine Esqr; attorney att Law att Taunton"; endorsed.