Taunton Decr. 9th. 1769 Dear Sr.,

I have recd. yrs. just now & most heartily congratulate yo. on your success in conquering two Leviathans tho perhaps it may best to shew no publick Exaltations. I must confess I have heard nothing for a long time that has given me such a Spring as hearing the news last Week at Boston just after a fatiguing Journey. Agreable to your desire I send inclosed an account of my Journeys time & Expences of Journeying & attending being nothing more than what money I paid. It seems high & I submitt it to you to do as you please both as to that & also my fees being always very fond of shewing respect & much more of yeilding assistance to every Branch of yr. Family, with Respects to yr. Father & Compliments to all the Family I am yr. freind & Hble. Sert.

R. T. PAINE

RC (James Otis Coll., MHS); addressed: "To Joseph Otis Esq. at Barnstable."

Barnstable January 10th 1770 Dear Sir,

I Reced. your favour of Decemr. 9th and your bill of £12 odd which Shall be Paid and See no Objection Can be made against It.

As to yr. trouble I Proposed the affair to my Partners and they would be glad If you would be Satisfyed with 18£ Lawfull money besides the above £12 odd for the Charges butt If you think that not enough Please to Lett me haere and you Shall be Satisfyed to yr. Content. As I am not used to this Sort of bussiness you must make your own Price If the Above Is not Sufficient to make you a Proper fee for It would give me great uneasiness not to have you Satisfyed Reasonably.

Am obliged to you for yr. Congratulations on my Victory and for your Pains and trouble In the affair. Shall be glad of an answer by the way of Mr. Samll. Allyne Otis as Soon as you Can.

Should bee the Spring when I Gett my family Settled. be Exeeding Glad to See you att my house and Whenever you Come this way Should Feel my Self honourd If you would make my house yr. house and If you456would take a I Should take a Pleasure In Carrying Unice to vissitt you. Have heard you applyed My Judgment which makes me think my Self of the more Consequence In haveing the approbation of Mr. Pain. May we all be guided to a Good Port In Good time is the Sincere wish of yr. friend and very humble Servt.

JOSEPH OTIS February 12 1770

Sir haveing never had an opportunity to Send the foregoing Since Which I have Settled with my Partners In the Whale Case and they have allowed you In the Whale £30.6.111 hope that will Satisfy you which Sum I Will See you Paid If they have allowed you not Sufficient I Shall be very Sorry but the Company seek 193£ which makes them very crusty yrs. &c.

J. Otis

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treet Pain Esqr. att Taunton"; endorsed.

1.

RTP recorded this amount in his cashbook on May 11, 1770, "in full for fees & Expences in the Whale Case."