Taunton July 17th. 1775 Dr. Brother,

I have omited writing for some time hoping to receive from you a chear up to my depress’d spirits, but as yet I have had only two little s’s. I Shall not however omit it now lest it shoud be misconstrud. I have not vanity Eno’ to propose giving you pleasure by my observations on any thing, & have not materiel, for adding to your knowledge. All Publick affairs you will have more Authentic than I can send them. Mrs. Paine & Mrs. Greenleaf will send you all the Domestick occurrences and I have left me only the humiliating fact to relate, that I am nothing.

The last weeks Expedition to Long Island has furnishd all the Conversation.1 The preservation of our Troops is truly marvelous in our Eyes and Encouraging to all hearts and tis surprizing how the inhabitants round the shores harden to these dreadfull scenes. The Roar of Cannon firing of small arms and Blaze of houses are shocking to the sences yet women that almost fainted at a Gun formerly continue Spectators & wax stronger and stronger such is the reliance on the disposer of Events that He will succeed our arms in so righteous a Cause that our Enemys must be astonished. Gage is filling up his measure with Eager hast. The Sufferings of the Poor imprisond Inhabitants make our hearts ake. How much longer he may be permited to Exercise his wanton Cruelty over them heaven only knows. We are waiting with ardent Expectations and implore that interposition which shall convince the Tyrants of their Error. May the Arm of the Lord be made bare, & his Power which they so Blasphemously deride be made Gloriously known in their destruction. You are there at the head of affairs and tis Enlivening to look forward with so good hope as circumstances afford on the End of these things. But tis a day of sore tryal to thus fight our way through the Breasts of Brittons whom we must mourn that we have Slaughtered. There is no way to support the losses which we have sustaind in the Amiable Warren, & worthy Gardiner; and the painfull suggestions of who may be added to that melancholly list, But by Enlarging our veiws in the Grand Scheme of providential Government and thus losing Sight of Self and all our Lesser Connections. There is another State for us to Enjoy. In this we are to act, and much is require’d of us in the present dispensation; may we not fail of the Blessing thro’ Unbeleif.

75

Your Dr. Smith has pleasd me much in his parallel. “I Say Amen to his would to God that we who consider ourselves in the place of those Tribes, may like them be still able to Lay our hands on our hearts in a solemn appeal to the God of Gods for the Rectitude of our intentions toward the whole Commonwealth of our Brittish Israel.” We thank you for the Sermon. The newspapers too. Genll. Lee’s letter to Genll. Burgoyne has gain’d him the Esteem of Generous Souls I long to See his Person. Tis said he is very Charming.

Mr. Greenleaf is going to Concord to Election by him I suppose you will have a family packet. They have all been writing I perceive so I omit any repetition. Nothing Extraordinary has taken place but that we have been blest with fine rains which have clothed the Pastures. The first Crops were Cut short. All kinds of fruits are like to be very plenty. No want of any of the Common favrs. I hardly think anyone Else will mention that we have three Extraordinary fine Kittins & Tishy makes a very Entertaining mother. She almost talks. I often wish you coud see them play but as times are dont wish you home. The anxiety is great Enough without fear for Particulars. Mr. Collins tells us you Enjoy fine health. May it be preserved.

Compliments to Mr. Adams & to Doct. Young2 & Family. All friends here are in usual health. We had last week a violent Tempest of thunder & lightning by which Mr. John Cobb Gunsmith was struck dead 4 others stun’d. Tis a loss to the town as many are unprovided with Arms. I have wrote much more than I thot to or than you can read. I fear my hands are very lame & Ink very Poor But it will serve as a testimony of my remembrance & I hope will be kindly recd. as from your Ever mindfull Sister,

Eunice Paine

RC ; endorsed.

1.

This was a raid by the Americans on Long Island in Boston Harbor on July 11 to capture the livestock there. A contingent returned there the next day and burned the barns and house. The more famous Battle of Long Island in New York would take place in August 1776 (Boatner, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, 647).

2.

Dr. Thomas Young (1731–1777) moved to Boston in 1766 and quickly became aligned with the radical element there. He gave the first commemorative oration on the anniversary of the Boston Massacre in 1771 and was an original member of the Committee of Correspondence. In 1774, Young left for Rhode Island, and by the spring of 1775 had relocated to Philadelphia. He died of fever in June 1777 (Henry H. Edes, “Memoir of Dr. Thomas Young, 1731–1777,” Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 11:2–54).