Head Quarters Newburgh Augt. 28th 1782 Dear Sir,

I have just received your favor of the 11th.,1 which gave me very great pleasure, as it is the only information I have received of my Family or Relatives since I came on to Camp; and am very happy to hear that my Daughters have arrived at your House. Their future mode of Schooling, I must beg, to leave entirely with you & Mrs. Paine, and shall have no objection to any plan you persue, as you already know, that the height of my ambition, in their Education, is only to unite the usefull with the ornimental.

I have remitted 50 Dollars more, which you will receive thro’ Mr. Nat. Tracey2 or Jo. Russell,3 this for the present will be the amount of my remittances. If the Silk is not disposed of, give yourself no further trouble about it, but send it to Mrs. Cobb.

I hardly know what to give you as News; We have received nothing of a political nature, from Sir Guy Carleton, since his Letter of the 2d. Augt., which you have seen in the public papers. Our Army will take the Field next saturday, but we have nothing more in view, at present, than to obtain forrage with greater ease & to procure a quantity of Wood for our Garrisons & Posts against Winter. The French Army are on their march & will join us in the course of a month; what our object then will be, must depend on the uncertainties of a month. The Enemy’s views appear to be less inimical than ours; in fact, were we to judge from appearances, they mean not to continue with us, but they are a nation who have the faith of Devils, and act only to deceive. Thus much is certain, they cannot take the Field this year, as they have disposed of the Public Horses & Waggons; & in every thing, if possible, they exceed us, in œconomizing their expences. Sir Guy is anxiously waiting the arrival of the July Packett, by which he expects his final Orders for this Campaign, and (pretends to believe) a confirmation of a general Peace, which God grant us.

Let Mrs. Cobb know, with my best Love to her & the Bearns, that you have heard from me, well & hearty; and let me hear from you, whenever you please. I think there is a post once in a week from Boston—all Letters will come without expence. I am much obliged by Miss. Nelly’s & Betsey’s kind remembrance of their Papa—be good eno’ to return them 223 my best Love, hopeing that their future behaivour will be a source of pleasure to me, as well as an orniment to their Sex. My Love to Mrs. Paine & family. In remembering me to my frieds don’t forgit Jo. & Family across the Street.

I am Dr. Sir your sincere Friend & Servant David Cobb

RC ; internal address: “Robt. T. Paine Esqr.”

1.

Not located.

2.

Nathaniel Tracy (1751–1796) was a merchant and privateer based in Newburyport. He developed a large fortune but lost it all during the Revolution (American National Biography).

3.

Joseph Russell, the auctioneer.

Augt. 29. 1782 Dr. Sr.,

I wrote you by Dr. Smith that you might know the state of matters, but a public Occasion prevented my getting the papers ready. Inclosed you have your Comisn. to procure Evidence by favor of which you will be entituled to pay from Governmt. I dont know wt. Effect the British Fleet at Martha’s Vinyard may have on your going on to Nantucket. I doubt not you’ll conduct with due caution & firmness, & let me know as soon as may be the result; let the Deposition you take respecting the Sloop Good Intent be taken with a proper Caption, to be used in the Tryal of the Sloop Good Intent Wm. Moore, late Master at the Maritime Court to be holden for the Middle District of the Cmnwth. of Mass. on the Libel of Ichabod Plaisted late Naval Officer for the Port of Nantucket in behalf of the Cmwth. and one of the Libels of Elkins & als taken at the request of RTP in behalf of the Cmnwlth.: the adverse Party J. Elikins &c. notified & the deponants living now.

Inclosed you also have the Order of Council respecting Beriah Norton,1 by wch. it appears he had liberty to bring Goods under certain Restrictions, he should be Watched in his Conduct. I will procure some public enquiry to be made if I can effect it.

224

You percieve the notification of the Libels in yr. County is published, they must all be continued from yr. next Court as you will see by the Law.

I have enquired abt. McFarlands affair &c.,

R.T.P.

Dft. ; endorsed: “To Brigr. Freeman Esq. sent per Hon. Mr. Spooner.”

1.

Beriah Norton (1733–1820) of Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, was colonel of the island’s militia during the Revolution and in charge of coastal defenses. Maintaining a largely neutral stance due to its dependence upon the British navy, in 1778 the Vineyard submitted to a demand for supplies from British Maj. Gen. Charles Grey, an event locally known as Grey’s Raid. Although the British promised payment for the supplies, this was never forthcoming, and after the war Norton made personal pleas for restitution both in New York City and London but was ultimately unsuccessful (Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Finding Aid to the Beriah Norton Collection, Record Unit 120).