Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
It is Contrary to the Scripture rule to bring a railing accusation against a Brother otherwise I might Scold & Charge you with raising or at least (with a Significan Shrug) confirming, a report of my inconstancy to the ancient & Honourable Sisterhood of old Maids & that I'm plotting a scheme to leave E'm. I Can't See thro' your design but Suppose you Can Give a reason for Your Conduct.
I was last Wensday in town & gratly disappointed not to find you there. I came up in a chaise and wanted Some things difficult for me to Get So Was oblige'd to try your Credit and of Mrs. How I Borrow'd 2 Dollars which I must be obliged to you to pay. I dont know what to say to you or how matters Stand but I am got behindhand at my Lodgings & have ask'd Tufts' for his Bill & Shou'd be glad if I Cou'd have the money to pay it but durst hardly ask for I know not how or hardly Who I am but hope for more Certainty.
I'm such an odd mixture I hardly dare write to you for by turns I'm Gay, Grave, Busy, and Indolent. I purpose tomorrow for Stoughton if nothing prevents & hope to Shake all together & return a pleasanter Composition.
My Complements attend all Enquirers. I'm Sorry I cou'd not See Your99Dunstable Katty. I know nothing new or Entertaining So adeiu. Yrs. as Usual,
Dr. Cotton Tufts (1732–1815).
I hear you have been to town during my Abscence,1 which I conclude was out of choice as you knew that I was to be absent that week. However like the man who had his Hog stole designedly, you managed yr. Behaviour very artfully making grievious Complaints for yr. Disappointment. I had a very pleasant Journey & have got some very remarkable occurrences to tell you, when I see you next which may be sometime in the fall. I am uncertain when I shall be absent next, but will give you timely warning so that you may improve the opportunity. Mean while I have one thing to advertize you off & that is that I have not above 7 shirts that are passable and therefore am necessitated to inquire if you have or can do any thing with those in yr. possession. Let me hear speedily. Pray remember my Leggs. The flys begin to speak & musquittos are coming. Tell all how do you Yrs. &c.
RTP's diary indicates that he left Boston for Windham, Connecticut, on June 23 and did not return until July 1. He attended the court at Windham on the 27th and 29th, presumably to further settle his father's affairs as regards to family land holdings in that town.
Inclosd you have the Note hand of Capt. Willm. Knox payable to Mr. Thos. Paine for £25. Currency wch. I recd. of the Widow Freeman agreeable to your order and have also recd. Mr. B. Leigh's Note hand payable to you for £26. Indorsed, recd. £15 in part per Jams. Freeman100the remaining £11. Leigh promises to pay me before I go—& I believe he will—how your accot. stands with Mr. Freeman's Estate I don't know. Deacon Ferguson tells me he has wrote you & advisd your coming down to settle all your Fathers affairs as you are best Capable to do it and you may Collect up £50 or 60£ wch. will be well worth the trouble. If this is the Case I woud give the same Advice, & the sooner you do it the better, provided you have not too much Business in Boston to hinder you.
Besides, the place is in want of a good honest attorney, if you can recommend yourself for such a one and did you incline to tarry here, might have Employ Enough & profitable. I am oblig'd for your good Wishes & kind mention of Mrs. Hurd's1 welfare. My Compliments to your Sister Unice & Friends & please to accept my Best Regards. Yr. most H. Servt.
John Hurd in 1755 had married Elizabeth Foster (1732–1779), daughter of Thomas and Ann (Bossenger) Foster of Boston (Thwing Index).