Boston Sept: 15:th 1774 Dr:Bror:,

When I consider the surprizing Importance of that most high & honorable Body, of which you have the honour of being a member; I feel 4that profound reverence which a good Catholick has, when he Enjoys the Communion of the Saints above. And having this Season of Grace let me freely say that when I think of the great as well as most evident End of all Civil Government, I look back with Detestation on the State of the Governmt: of Massachusetts Province, ever since Our last Charters. It is impossible that the Interests or Advantages of Great Britain should not freequently interfere with the Interests & Advantages of the Colonies; while she sets Governours &c. over us. If the King of France had such Power over the Kings of England, as to Oblige them at their Coronation, to Govern the English Nation at all times according to his the King of France’s directions or Instructions, I am sure Great Britain would cease to be a free People.

Every One is well Acquainted with the present Aims of Great Britain upon the Colonies, & I am pleas’d that those demands are so unsufferable as they are. I don’t believe she will Attempt, with force & Arms to Conquer all the Colonies which Oppose her Measures, but this is now the unshaken Faith of Our Tories, if we can believe them. If the Colonies have it now in their power (wch. I suppose to be the Case) to make reasonable Terms of Accommodation with Great Britain I assure my self & friends it will be done by the August Provincial Congress.

Tom. Boylston,1 told me very seriously the other day that he was sure, The Colonies might sell Great Britain if they pleas’d to do it. In hope of the Glory of the Colonies, I am glad King William’s Charter is Annihilated by G. Britain: & it will now be our own Fault, yes & an unpardonable Fault in us, if we take up with any thing short of Our Old charter, but for my own part though a good Churchman, I believe in the Congress as much as I do in the Holy Catholick Church. Good Mr: Cary’s2 being well Acquaintd. with all our present Circumstances, prevents saying any thing on that head.

Thanks be to GOD, who has Joyn’d the Colonies together and Cursed be all those who would seperate ’em.

That is the prayer of Faith that is in me yr. Bror:

Benja. Kent

RC ; addressed: “To Robert Treat Paine Esqr. Philadelphia favr. Mr. Cary”; endorsed.

1.

Thomas Boylston (1721–1798), a cousin of John Adams, was according to Abigail Adams an “eminent, wealthy, stingy Merchant.” The British blacklisted Boylston in 1775, but two years later Boston women stormed him protesting the inflated price of his coffee. He then left the country and settled in England ( Adams Family Correspondence , 1:213, 231–232, 2:295).

5 2.

Richard Cary (1746/7–1806) of Charlestown, Mass., held a commission in the British army before the Revolution but apparently sold it about 1772. He was a merchant and spent time in New York, Philadelphia, and the South between 1773 and 1775, when he joined the American forces. Although he was an aide-de-camp to General Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Cary left the service at the end of 1775 and spent the rest of the war in St. Croix running the British blockade of the colonies ( Sibley’s Harvard Graduates , 15:371–373).

Taunton Sepr. 16th. 1774 Dear Brother,

Amidst the caresses of a Uniting people, the formalities of a Publick station, the Amussments of so pleasing a tour; I make no doubt but a testimony of your Private welfare will be a cordial to your reliv’d mind. Nothing Particular has turn’d up to acquaint you with in the way of Bussiness but what the prints will inform you of; when you hear that Sepr. Court was anihilated, you’ll know tis imatiriel how many writs were fill’d &c. It may give you pleasure to know that your County behave’d very well, no rioting, no Licentiousness. A manly resolution appear’d thro’ the whole whether founded on Wisdom I dont dertimine. Various are the opinions of the Learned. Some say that Court shod. have been open’d and the Causes refer’d twou’d have saved some hundred Sterling to the County—but tis done otherwise with Dr. C—s1 approbation. I hope you will be home before Octr. Court. Tis sad living for a Number of Ignorant women who wish Every thing to be conducted right. You’ll know by the papers what Changes we have Sufferd. here, but no tumult thro’ favr., neither were we distinguisht by the flag which the people woud. have set on the house. I have a thousand fears for my country, & ten thousand hopes which we hope your August Assembly will settle on a good foundation. Never was time more tedious than your absence. We Endeavour to rejoyce in our remaining Priviledges, they are many in Comparison with our Ambitious neighbours. We Can injoy our home thro’ favr. & injoy tollerable health that invaluable Blessing I hope you are favrd. with. Tis three weeks since I heard from home so can not give you an account of their welfare. Mrs. Paine reserves her Part for the last which I hope will render the whole agreeable to you. I have no facts that I can aver the truth of, but, that I am with the greatest Sincerity your truly affectionate & Expecting Sister,

Eunice Paine

RC on recto of Sally Cobb Paine to RTP, Sept. 16, 1774 (see below); addressed: “For Robt: Treat Paine Esqr. In Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Eunice Paine & Sally Paine Septr. 1774.”

1.

David Cobb.