Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
I1 have secured for you & several others of the Court the best lodgings I could procure—& altho' the officers of the Customs had taken up many for themselves & friends I doubt not but the whole Court may be accomodated.2 Yr. most obedt.
William Pynchon (1723–1789), lawyer and loyalist who continued to reside in Salem. His friendship with RTP survived their differences in politics, and they continued to see each other after the Revolution (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 11:295–301).
The General Court was ordered to sit at Salem beginning on June 1 in consequence of the Boston Port Bill (Journals of the House of Representatives, 50:252).
By Major Fuller1 I send this token of my remembrance, & if it can find a place among the many perplexing affairs which involve the province you will be glad I dont doubt to hear that I am as comfortable as the times will admit, here at this hospitable Mansion. I regretted my absence from town as I lost my chance for seeing you but as matters have been rearraye'd you have had no time but for the Publick. I durst not indulge myself as my spirit dictateth, but I mourn over Boston & feel anxiously concernd for my friends that are inhabitants2 "how doth that fair City sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! She that sat as Princess among the Provinces, how is she become tributary! her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her Enemies."3
I hope to see you on your way home, I dont Expect your tarry will be long at Salem and depend on meeting you at Boston, I hear you left your family well at Election I rejoyce in all our personal favrs. I wish you that wisdom which is profitable for all things and may the house at their present Sessions however irratate'd, approve themselves to their Country the Expectations of all are upon You & many hands are lifted for your Sup-538port.4 May health and Strength be added to your other Blessings Prays Your Affectionate Sister,
Abraham Fuller (1720–1794) served as Newton's representative to the General Court from 1764 to 1776 (Priscilla R. Ritter and Thelma Fleishman, Newton, Massachusetts, 1679–1779: A Biographical Directory [Boston, 1982], 30).
The Boston Port Bill closing the port of Boston was passed by Parliament on Mar. 3, 1774, in retaliation for Boston's part in the destruction of the tea at the Boston Tea Party of Dec. 16, 1773. It was to take effect on June, 1774 (DAH).
Lamentations of Jeremiah, 1:1.
RTP first heard of the news of the Boston Port Bill while attending the superior court at Barnstable on May 11, and when back in Taunton heard of the appointment of Gen. Gage as governor on the 14th. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives on the 16th and on the 23d rode to Boston, where the House continued sitting until the 28th when it was adjourned to Salem (RTP Diary).