Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
You perceive by the date that I am now in Boston. Here my eyes are perpetually entertain’d with the vestages of British ferocity; Were the ingenious author of common sence to make a tour this way, he would be furnished with a thousand additional reasons for the independency of the united colonies on Great Britain. We have for the present got rid of the barbarians, but I cannot help expressing an uneasiness at the small progress we make in fortifying the town. Should the enemy return, we are in a pitiful state to repell them.
More than five weeks have elapsed, since we have been in possession of the town, & not one Battery is half finished; One is begun at Charlestown point, one on fort-hill where we can mount Seven cannon, but, in case of an attack, we could very poorly defend it for want of men, and amunition too in case it should last long; A fort is begun on Dorchester point, no guns there yet, the ground has been traced out this afternoon, on Noddles Island, tomorrow the like will be done at the castle; Several hulks are near ready to be sunk.
The inhabitants are destitute of fire arms and cannot get supplied. The five regiments left hear are very far from being full. This is a true state of 199facts as near as I can recollect, & as our best troops are all gone to the southward we should be in a pittifull state, should one half the British army return we could not man our lines. I forbear to make any remarks for fear of giving offence. You will make a wise use of it therefore it will be needless that any comments should be made by Sr. yr. huml. servt.,
P.S. I have wrote 4 letters & recd. NONE.
I can write to you with greater pleasure then when I wrote last. Then the family were all sick every thing embarasyet health seem returning. Your other self is as well as usual. Sallys disorder settled in her back she is feeble and Tommy has some compla
The weather is cold the spring not so forward as the last. Seth has been imploy’d some days in gardening most of the small seeds are sown. Till this last ten day we have known but little else but nursing for six weeks back we have really had a severe tryal. I hope our thankfulness will rise in proportion to the afflictions felt.
Mr. Greenleaf has been in Boston ever since the day after it was evacuated by our enemy. He is one of seven, apointed by the court to examine the associators, an ungreatful task it takes him much time I hear I wish t’was over. He finds his types safe but the cases all burnt by Mrs. Rankin who was left by Coll: Leverett in the house to take care 200of our effects. Many other losses I hear of that renders going to housekeeping difficult and requires time to repair. Add to this Mrs. Rankin delays removing so that I can’t say when I shall leave your house but hope to be in Boston, without my girls, before the year is compleated. I shall send Eunice to Mr. Cranches next week, where she will be easier got into town when tis proper, but I fear tis a poor place for youth. I hear the soildiers are very disordily severe punishmets are to be inflicted. It grieves me to hear it but tis no wonder since many of them are the scum of the people. Taunton will soon be reduc’d to its old inhabitants. Mr. Blanchards family are gone and Mr. J. Russel Mrs. Downe and Mrs. Chevers goes to morrow. Mr. Andrewss went last week. Mr. Colwel is remov’d into the Doctrs. house, and when Mr. Nat: Green is gone out of Leonards house, which he had a part of, Mr. Perkins is to remove into it. Capt. Avery from Boston is in the part that Colwel had. He is going to sea and leave his family here a pretty woman they say with two small children. Here is several familys from Newport that I suppose will tarry.
I don’t hear that their is to be any school here this summer. I am sorry that your children can’t have that advantage. They have gain’d very fast this winter but I fear will soon lose it, as learning is so great a task especially to Bob he can’t be perswaded to take any pleasure in it, and so many temptations on the green where he delights to spend most of his time. I was in hopes you wou’d have visit’d home before I had left it that you might have seen how great the alteration.
May 3. We now have an opertunity to send to Providence so must finish in haste with so bad a pen I can hardly write intelligible but must make some addition.
I began to remove, have sent some furniture down and last tuesday Eunice went to Braintree to tarry at Mr. Cranchs till I get to Boston. Doctr. Cobb carried her. He is gone to Boston with hopes of getting in surgion to the regiment raising for that station. He seems determin’d to remove his family after July is over when he expects an addition to his children. Their is a fine opening now, as so many phisicians have by their late conduct render’d the resolves obnoxious to their countrey. Many here are very uneasy at his leaving them but all their remonstrances cannot alter his purpose. He is I believe determin’d.
The children are mending fast but the cold rane weather keeps them back. Naby & Polly send their duty will write soon. Sister Eunice is, I 201hear, very sick at Coll: Palmers with a rash near a kin to the fever that afflicted our family.
I know not where I shall date my next letter from, but be it where it will & let my curcumstance be what they will I shall every pray for your prosperity and the welfare of your family. At present I am your Effectionate sister &c.,