Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
If I knew any facts worthy your notice further than the Newspapers inform me, I wou’d write them; But since I can Entertain you only from my own magazine of hope’s, and fears, Joys, and sorrows; it wou’d be impertinent for me to write more than an assurance that your return, will give as high season’d pleasure to me, as to any one of the Expecting, desiring multitude. The tediousness of the hours, and Days, & weeks, & months which have drag’d away since you left us; will then I trust be swallow’d up in the Enjoyment of time.
The Enlivening scenes you have passed thro’, the animating purposes of your meeting, and the importance of your decision which must call forth Every power of the mind, & wake Every humane affection, have by this time I make no doubt rub’d off all the Taunton Rust. I anticipate the pleasure your return will afford Us as your Domesticks. The Publick, Eye the Day with too much Expectation & fear. How far off it may be I durst not think. Some say till a return from England but I cant admit it. I wou’d rather think you are now on your Journey, tis fine pleasant weather and that this token of my Existance, rather than Capacity will meet you on your return.
Doct. Cobb will write I suppose. It does me good to see him Embarrest about writing, as much as I am he has begun Several I belive but Can’t suit himself. I have not been wanting in Cogitations but find I Cant write. You’ll accept this Confession with an assurance that no one can more Earnestly wish you Every pleasure, Every Honour, and Every profit that will conduce to your Best interest than does your Friend & sister,
Your kind remembrance of me; in your letter to Docter Cobb; dated 15th of September, which we received the night before last, 9again Put me in mind, of my promise when you left us, of writing to you. I have often thought of it, but as I had nothing of any importance to communicate to you, I thought your time would be more agreably spent in that excelent Company of which you make a member, than in reading my letters. We enjoy ourselves as well as the Presant Circumstances of our Publick afairs will admit. We every day talk of you Sir & wonder if you are not thinking of us at the same time. My best wishes have been your constant attendant ever since you left us, & my Sincere Prayers that your best endeavours, to obtain the freedom of our, oppressed Country, may be blessed by divine wisdom. We all rejoice that our whole continent have been so happy in their Choice of Patriots to compose this noble assembly, & Put our greatest Confidence, (next to the almighty arm) in the goodness of your hearts, & the strength of your judgements. You have seen all the Papers; so have heard of all that has happened here to disturb our Solitary enjoyments, Such as the People’s visit to Counseller L—d; the annihilation of the Court, as I think it may Propperly be stiled, &c. As we were only women our hearts beat with apprehention, (not of any evil to ourselves) but Least they should be guilty of some rash step which they Could not Justifie. But they behaved like men, with a resolution, & firmness which becomes free men. As we have the happiness to be upon the right side we have nothing to fear from the People. They wanted to set a flag of Liberty upon your house in honor to you & were coming in to ask leave, but were Prevented by the Docter telling them; that the greatest honor they could do you would be, by their good behaviour. I have often been alarmed, by Gages behaviour to the town of Boston. Many of his Plans we cant see into. What they will end in, time only can determine. It seems as if fear was his greatest inducement to fortifie it in the manner he has done. We often hear from home. My dear mammas fine spirits & Cheerfull letters, has greatly strengthned my Confidence in that being who rules over all things for the good of his People. Pray Sir excuse my writing Politicks. I know, it does not belong to my Province; but tis the most animating Subject to me at Presant; as it Concerns us all. I have the Pleasure to inform you Sir that my health is greatly mended since you Left us. So much riding has added greatly to my Strength, & I hope to enjoy myself the better all winter for your & my Aunts kindness which I shall ever remember with gratitude. We are all anxious for your return. I Promise myself great pleasure in seeing you here, Sir in good health & fine spirits, and in hearing yr. agreable & entertainig, recital of all the Pleasant Scenes you have Passed thro, in 10your long absence. Do you tell the weeks as often as I do? I dare say you dont; they are not so tedious to you, as to us. Forgive me Sir, if I tell you, I read with Pleasure the frank Confession, you make of being homesick, as tis a Proof of that you will not Laugh at me. I hope sir you will find a few Leisure moments, to spend in reading this, token of my duty; & remembrance, tho’ I cant hope for a line from yr. Pen in return, Particularly to me. You have our Constant Prayers; for every aid & Support from on high which is nessary. I mean the whole Congress, but you in Particular, none of which are Put up to the throne of mercy with more ardour, than those of dear Sir, yr. ever dutifull & most oblig’d Neice & humble Sert.,