February 1783

To the honorable the Senate and the honorable the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled February 1783.

Robert Treat Paine asks leave respectfully to represent, that in June 1777 he had the honor to be appointed to the office of Attorney General for this State—that he entered into and has executed the same with his utmost ability and attention to this time:—that there has not been any stated Salary, or fees of the office, which any body would consider as a recompence for the service of the same the whole amount of them being but little more than the necessary cash expences of attending the Circuits:—that there has been but two Grants made him, & those many years ago—that the business of that office has been very important to the existance and well-being of this State, and exceedingly burthensome and irksome in the Execution of it, from many considerations, and from the licentious disposition of many, appears likely to increase in its magnitude.

247

Your Memoralist therefore, partly from a reasonable regard to his own Interest, and also from a regard to the due Execution of that office and the Welfare of the Commonwealth therein, thinks it his duty to make this representation to the honorable Legislative Body, that so a reasonable compensation may be made to your Memoralist for his past services, and that the Importance and Labours of that office may be enquired into, understood and regulated, and such Orders made respecting the same for the future as to your Honors shall seem meet.

Your Memorialist with all respect subscribes himself Robt. Treat Paine

In the House of Representatives Febry. 17th. 1783

Read & ordered that Mr. Goodhue and Mr. Frazier with such as the hon Senate may join be a Committee to consider this Memorial and report

Sent up for concurrence

Tristram Dalton Spkr

In Senate Febry: 17th. 1783.

Read & Concurred & John Bacon Esqr. is joind

S Adams Presidt.

In Senate May 30th: 1783

Read again & revivd & thereupon Orderd That Cotton Tufts Esqr. with such as the Honble. House shall join be a Committee to consider this Memorial & report what may be proper to be done thereon1

Sent down for Concurrence

S Adams Presdt.

In the House of Representatives May 30th: 1783

Read & concurred & Mr. Ely & Mr. Edey are joined

Tristram Dalton Spkr

DS (Massachusetts Archives, Resolves, 1807, Chapter 141); docketed:

Petition of Robert Treat Pain Esqr. June 7 Read in Senate & ord to by

Freeman

1783.

Mr. Goodhue

248

Mr. Barr Frazier

Ely

Edey

referr’d to next Session

Dr. Tufts

Mr. Turner

Dr. Tufts

Mr. Turner

A draft of this petition is in the RTP Papers.

1.

The committee report, contained in the same file at the Massachusetts Archives and dated June 7, 1783, recommended the payment of £763.12.10 “in full for his Service as Attorney General from Jany. 1. 1780 to Jany 1, 1783—being Three years which estimated at £300 pr. annum and deducting therefrom £136.7.2 Costs of Court by him received during that Time leaves the first mentioned Sum—and that there be further allowed and paid unto him the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds in Consideration of the Lowness of Fees, the extraordinary Expence attending his office and the Dearness of the necessaries of Life previous to the 1st of Jany. 1780.”