Boston Decr. 1st. 1774 Dear Sr.,

I heartily congratulate you on your return to your Family; your being unwell accounts for the long silence from Taunton. I sincerely wish you a speedy restoration to health.1 You are wanted at Cambridge where you have been constantly expected ever since the session. I cannot inform you what they are about, for they are enjoyned Secarcey.

As to foreign news (that which relates to us) the reports are so various & change as they pass from mouth to mouth so that ’tis impossible to find the right. I have been so busy that I have not been abroad, nor read the 20paper yet, but have sent it by the bearer, that you may take the news from the fountain. I will inform Mr. Cushing of your ill health immediately.

We are in as good health as usual, my love to both Sisters, yr. children & my nabby whom I long to see. The bearer cannot wait for more therefore I must conclude. Yr. loving brother

Jos. Greenleaf

P.S. If I can do you any favor in yr. confinement pray let me know it.

RC ; addressed: “To Robt. Treat Paine Esqr. att Taunton favr. Mr. ”; endorsed.

1.

RTP fell ill on Nov. 25 and developed a high fever and vomiting. Not until Dec. 8 was he able to note in his diary: “rode out in Chaise after 14 days confinement.” He did not venture into Boston until Jan. 10, 1775 (RTP diary).

Boston Decr: 6th: 1774 My dear Uncle,

I write now, to enclose my two old letters; which were wrote to send you at Philadelphia. Had you recd. them then, it might have been a Pleasure to you, but you have often said you loved to read old letters, so I send them now. We have had very uncomfortable weather, since I came home; so bad Mr. Leonard could not return. He has just been in, and tells us he has heard today from you, that you are better. I heartily rejoice to hear it. May your health be confirmed & your Life Prolonged to old age. My Father is at committe this evening so cant write again, but we have no certain news. All is Peace & tranquility, at Present; within our gates. Brother has just been to Mr. Smiths to find a conveyance for your butter, as Mr. Adam, has no Cart in town. Tomorrow, they expect a waggon which will go out directly. By them we shall send it. My Uncle Greenleaf has very good butter.

I intended to have asked the favor of your Sir, to let me bring home Senacas morals1 & Caspipinas letters.2 If you please to send them, my Aunt will bring them, & I will take good care of & return them in Season, and, I should be very much obliged to you, for the reading the Prince of Abisinia3 for my Brother & Sisters. Mamma sends her Love to you & Yrs. I am Sir with great respect yr. much obliged Niece

Abigail Greenleaf 21

RC ; addressed: “To Robert Treat Paine Esqr. Taunton”; endorsed.

1.

Seneca’s Morals by Way of Abstract, by Lucius Annæus Seneca, which appeared in many English editions. None of Seneca’s works appears in RTP’s 1768 or 1805 catalogues of his books, although several occur in the library of his father. (John D. Cushing, ed., “Catalogus Librorum: The Library of Thomas Paine of Boston [1694–1757],” Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society , 100[1988]:100–127).

2.

Observations on a Variety of Subjects, Literary, Moral and Religious, by Jacob Duché under the pseudonym of Caspipina (Philadelphia, 1774). Duché (1737/8–1798) was the Anglican assistant rector of Christ Church and St. Peter’s in Philadelphia and was chaplain to the Continental Congress, but left as a Loyalist in 1777 ( DAB ). RTP purchased a copy of Jacob Duché’s Caspipina’s Letters, Aug. 10, 1774, for four shillings. It appears in the 1805 catalogue of his library.

3.

Rasselas, The Prince of Abissinia, by Samuel Johnson (London, multiple editions between 1759 and 1768). A two-volume edition of Tale of Rasselas appears in RTP’s 1768 and 1805 catalogues of books.