Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 1
I Received your's Dated August the 22d:1 with inexpressible joy and satisfaction—and I can assure you Sir it was not for want of a Will but a conveniant opportunity that I did not write to you before. When I Recollect how we Lived together (at the feet of Gamaliel) in Love and Friendship, and now consider that we must be seperated; it gives me the utmost Anxiety, yet it is no small alleviation to my Trouble, when I consider that (altho' the Distance forbids our Confabulation yet) we may have (Deo Volente) frequant Communication by Letters. You write to me Sir, you are determined to take a School if you have a conveniant opportunity. I would inform you that I wrote to Thos: Prentice Esqr: of Luninburg of your:self, and I beleive he will apply to you to serve them (which will give me not a Little Satisfaction). You say Sir, you cannot hear off Father Dodge. I hear he is Tending a Little Flock of Lambs at Sutton
2, and further I hear he has an invitation to Preach at Upton, which invitation I Leave you to judge whether he will accept off (you knowing his inclina62tion as well, if not better than I) and Likewise I hear Pond, has at Present the oversight of a few Lambs (or Kids) at Norton and also I am inform'd he wear Ruffles over his hands.
How strangely are we who were used to be cherrished under Hancokian instruction, Scattered and Dispersed? Oh Tempora! Oh Mores!3
And now Sr. I shall desire this favour of you (Viz) not to neglect writing to me of your Welfare and also of all Remarcables that happen to any of the Class (which I Shall Endeavour to oblidge you in) And in So doing Sir you will add one more to the many obligations which I have to Subscribe my Self your Faithfull Friend and Loving Classmate,
P.S. Remember me to all of the Class that you Shall See at Boston or Elsewhere yours ut Prius,4
Not located.
See Samuel Haven to RTP, Aug. 12, 1749.
O, these degenerate days! Cicero, In Catilinam, I, 1.
As before.