Boston May 7th. 1753 Kind Sr.,

I recd. yrs. of April the 10 pr. Capt. Browne & am oblig'd to you for your Care relating to my affairs. I am exceeding sorry you have not Succeeded, but cannot desire you to espouse my cause in a Lawsuit having some faint Idea myself of the tender Bonds of Freindship. By this opportunity I write to Doctr. Chauncy & to Mr. Vaile abt. Sheppard's193affair, I shall omit doing anything abt. Mr. Snoads Case till I arrive at Carolina wch. will be perhaps as soon as you recieve these Letters for I expect to sail as soon as the Vessell by which I send them. I have spent some hours very Agreably inquiring yr. Welfare of Capt. Browne & heard with Pleasure of yr. health & various Successes. I congratulate you on yr. Success in mills & hope that as they are Situated so near Mr. Jno. Hardees that sanctify'd place of worship that they'll draw you there often on Sundays, unless you should buy a Parson as I hear you propose. I have been a long Time Scheeming or rather preparing for this Voyage, but am now on the point of sailing & expect soon to be in the No. County where after setting my men to work I shall take nagg & streem southwards as hard as whip & Spur will drive me so that in about 3 or 4 Weeks from date hereof you may begin to look out for Skip Jack. I recieve yr. Ladys Complements very kindly; please to return mine, assuring her that altho' Cupid has been very busy & as the Phrase is hard at me, yet his utmost efforts have as yet been baffled, & I shall bring an intire heart wth. me perhaps to be Captivated by some Carolina Lady. I often think off & mention the many hours I spent at Mount pleasant (deserv'dly so nam'd) & could I spare the Time would willingly endure a second Shok of the Ague to enjoy the same undisguis'd Freindship, but I shall not enlarge hoping eer long to express my Self in a more intimate manner than by Pen & Ink, but alass! my Visit will be but a peep into the door & away. I purpose to come in a check Shirt & trowsers otherwise you will not know me. Times are dull, people universally Strive to hinder each others Business, an Instance of wch. is that next Thursday a Woman1 is to stand on a Stool 5 foot high below the Town house for Keeping a bad house, & so there is ten or a dozen pretty Lasses put out of Bread. There are 7 women to a man in Town & who'd be at the Charge to keep Fowls, wn. wth. small trouble he can catch what he pleases. Please to Remember me to all Freinds, to Mr. Stewerd in perticular. Wn. I think of the many favrs. & perculiar Care & respect I have recd. from you (without yr. affectation of a N: England Dash) I sincerely subscribe myself yr. very much obligd humble Servt. & sincere Freind,

ROBT. TREAT PAINE

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Edward Salter Mercht. Bath No. Carolina via Newbern pr. Capt. Rea."

1.

RTP notes in his diary, May 10, 1753: "This day Mrs. Dilley stood on a Stooll for keeping a Baudy House." The case of Mrs. Hannah Dilley is detailed in the Boston Evening-Post, May 7, 1753.