Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 4
I am requested to write to you to know if you are Engaged in the Cause of Hampton & al. vs. Wm. Dennis at our Court—hope you’l write me word so that if you are not Engaged vs. Dennis I will Send you Some money to Engage you for him. Should be glad also to know whether you have heard anything of my Execution at the Eastward as you were kind enough to write me that you’d Enquire. I Suppose you are going this week the Western Cir Tour as I am to Plymouth I was at Worcester Court the week before last, at the request of Chapman, the Barr there gave their opinion that they could not recommend him upon which he is in a Sad Situation. His affairs being all dearranged in Such a manner that I believe him to be Compleatly ruined unless they Consider him in Worcester County. I Pity him & Cou’d wish him in some measure to be Indulged upon the principal of Pity. He requested me to write you & I was by his Importunity, Constrained to promise him that I would, what he wishes is your good word at Worcester in his favour.
I Consider myself Sir as Indebted to you for the Character you were so good as to put in the Paper, of Benja. Williams Esqr.1
And if it not too much trouble & it Should be agreeable to your Sentiment Should be glad of a Little of your Influence for the birth of Register of Probate in this County, George Leonard has Said that he’d accept of the office of Judge from wherefore I suppose he will have it. I Suppose as Mr. Fales does not make any application for it, that the Registers birth will rest between me, and Mr. Barns—I think if that is the Case that my right is fully Equal to his. Would have you however Act & do that which you think is right & proper about it—though I think it would Shagreene me to have Barns get it.
My little Boy has been about a fortnight verry ill with the Canker, but is now got almost well—hope you Mrs. Paine & good family are all well to whom please make my & Mrs. Padelfords Complts. Acceptable & believe me to be your Sincere Friend & Humbl. Servt.,
Benjamin Williams died at Taunton, aged sixty-three (Massachusetts Centinel, Apr. 3, 1784).
Your letter of the 1st. of this month I have recd.1 Connecticut has no attorney general, but a State Attorney in & for each County, who has no salary but the courts taxes for him what they deem a quantum meruit & that he is paid together with all monies that he reasonable advances for witnesses &c. out of the State or county treasury, according to the description of the offence & the court before which the trial is had. In capital Cases the fee has usually been from £5 to £10—other crimes cognizable before the Superior Court about 40/.- with an allowance in either Case for an assistant to the State Attorney if one is desired, about 30/-. plus is also allowed for an Indictment when drawn by the Attorney, about 10/.- & about 12/. for attendance each term the 308 Cause lies over: before the county courts, which have jurisdiction, exclusive or concurrent with the Superior Court, of many offences not extending to Life limb or banishment, the fees allowed are not so high as in the Superior Court by a fourth or third. Thus we have proceded heretofore; but a table of fees in these Cases, was fixd. by law the last Session of our general assembly. I cannot recollect it particularly—in general it is much the same as the allowances before mentioned but in some instances still lower. It will be published in a few days & I will then send it to you. Fees in general in this State are very low, but I beleive the State or Kings Attorneys have usually had as good an allowance from the publick, considering the certainty of the pay, as others from their clients in proportion to the Services done until since the war—now the advantage is in favour of the latter.
I am much obliged Sir, by the recollection you are pleased to express of our former acquaintance, which I shall ever be happy to improve upon by all the means in my power.
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