Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
Mr. Wentworth1 the Shff. informd me2 yesterday you had Enterd Cob:v: Quincy but that he made no return of writ supposing as I did that as Mr. Cobb had not returnd me the order I gave him on Colo. Bowers last march the Law presumes he was Satisfied by keeping the order, wch: if he had done I would have endeavourd to pay the money tho' he could have no Demand on me, but I much wonder how an action could be Enterd witho: a Return of the writ. However I have no Desire to Cavil, tho I am advisd from Boston that the Debt is Satisfyd. by Detaing. the order, tho not paid, wch: I much wonder shd. not have been, if it ever was presented for Payment. Now Sir as an old Freind and acquaintance having no other to apply to at Taunton let me beg the favour of yo: to pursue the action no farther and as the writ is not returnd in Season yo. can Safely drop it, depending upon my Honor that yo. shall Loose nothing by it and that I only want to get Some wine Claret Brandy &c. to Taunton to dispose of or till I can get a Ton of Pott Ash to Boston to raise Cash. I had laid the money by waiting for the return of the order but unhappily my furnace kettle burst wch: obligd. me to make use of it, have again got to work and you may depend the first moneys I can Start it Shall be Done I am sorry my old Freind Capt. Cobb. should drive this affair so, when he knows the many unhappy Losses I mett with in a Short time. If yo. Can't recede from the action under Circumstances of the writ not being in Season returned, let me beg yo. to appeal it in my Behalf or get Some Freind to do it to Save an Execution. I dont mean on accot: of the Charge, but on another accot. that I will let you know ab ore,3 that youl not wonder at my applying to my opponents attorney to be my Freind. Coz S:Q: appeald a Case for me at Bo. tho he was against me in414the action some time ago. I will let yo. have a Cask of Claret for much less than it Cost as Soon as I can get it to Taunton. I hope by Liscombe next week yo. Regarding me in this affair and informing what is done. Shall as Gratefuly resented by Yr. Frd. & most Hble. Sevt.
Not identified.
Edmund Quincy, Jr. (1725/6–1782) of Stoughtonham, was a landowning gentleman with various business and mining interests. He was a brother-in-law of John Hancock and first cousin of the Edmund Quincy (1733–1768), known as Tertius (Holly, Descendants of Edmund Quincy, 7).
Orally.
Capt. Eliphalet Leonard1 is now with me2 and is desirous that Phillips's Land he had of me might be taken by the Execution as he informs me it is already attach'd. I am contented to do as he proposes provided he will execute and put into your Hands Some instrument to Secure to me the money that is Due, that he may have the Benefit of the Land to Secure himself. I am Sir Your most obedt. Servt.
Capt. Eliphalet Leonard (1702–1786) owned and operated an iron forge in Easton, Mass. He was a brother-in-law of Thomas Cobb (William L. Chaffin, History of the Town of Easton, Massachusetts [Cambridge, 1886], 54–55).
Andrew Oliver (1731–1799).
Inclosed I send you an account of Wm. Stewart of New London in the County of New London in the Colony of Connecticut Merchant agt. John Crane of Taunton, which pray put in Suit1 & if any Power is415wanting give me notice as also when the affair is settled & you'l oblige your friend,
This action was not entered in the Bristol County Court of Common Pleas.