Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
I1 must Implore of you to read this Letter with patience hoping it may In some Measure Mitigate your passion which I acknowledge was Just But was not so well senseable of it at first as I now am but I am Ready to acknowledge and ask your pardon in the most submissive maner In publick or private. I make no doubt but you took me to be your friend While in the barbering way. I make no doubt but you Imagine that I was Illy used by the two dilley Girls (which was the occasion of my Asooming the Law) and I make no doubt but you are well senseable that there Was part of the torn of a.W. on the Sumons (as one Evidence attested to it afterwards) Which was the occasion of my asking that you might be sworn not concidering What you was under oath. These things considred togeather with the frailty of man I am in hopes will in some measure alleviate your Just Indignation against me And admitt me to speake to you on this accompt and was it not that the chieffe Which I have in the world is in a house I should pursue the study of the Law in A different manner. But possiably a door may open yet & if I should Gain knowledge in the Law to a Considerable degree I should neither Trouble nor favour this part of the world with it. I mean to treat all mankind With Sivilety, and for the future to shew you all the respect that is your due But I must Conclude be
Joseph Tisdale (1736–1768) was not a regular member of the bar but did represent clients in the county courts. He served Taunton in the House of Representatives in 1767–1768.
Nothing further is known of this affair, but it presumably related to a case at the June 1764 term of the Bristol County Court of Common Pleas. At that time William Johnson of Taunton, shipwright (represented by RTP) won a suit against Israel Cummings of Swansey, shipwright (represented by Tisdale). Tisdale appealed the decision on behalf of his client (Record Book, Bristol County Court of Common Pleas).