Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I recd. yr. by Mr. Revere: & forwarwarded what you inclosed for Taunton the next day.
The doings of the congress with respect to us has given great Satisfaction. We want Support in this day of tryal. Every day brings its troubles. Yesterday we were alarmed with a piece of conduct of the unthinking Jos. Scott. He has furnished the enemy with Severall Tons of cannon shott, some cannon & cohorns. It was difficult to still the clamors of the people on this accot. who would have destroyed him in the evening, had it not been for the Selectmen & our committee.1 We are now again alarmed with the rumor of being Surounded with forts. The inclosed2 will give you some idea of the designs against us.
If something is not Speedily done for our relief you must expect to hear of an attempt to relieve ourselves. The spirits of the people both in town & country are so high that we are in danger of a rupture: But as our comtte. have wrote so particular I need not add.
We heard yesterday from Taunton our friends there are all well as common, my family not so well as usual; Mr. Revere bring a letter from your wife (I Suppose). He Sets out early in the morning. The eyes of the world are upon you. Your desicions will determine the fate of nations. You have therefore need of uncommon wisdom & fortitude. I wish you all the blessings you stand in need of & am yr. friend & brother.
“Joseph Scott, Esq; Ironmonger, in Union-Street, Addressor and Protestor, has given his countrymen great uneasiness, and they express the greatest dissatisfaction at his conduct, he having either sold or lent to the troops, near five hundred pounds sterling worth of cannon, cannon balls, and other implements of war, hundreds of people were about his house last Wednesday and in the evening, but by the vigilance of a number of credible gentlemen of this town, no damage was done to his person or property” (Boston Gazette, Oct. 3, 1774). In 1776 Scott left Boston with the British troops and later went to England.
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