Camp Lake George Novr. 10th 1755 Dear Brother & Sisters,

I have recd. one Letter from Eunice,1 except which have had no Line from you, but heard your Welfare lately from Mr. Abel Willard. I have not wrote you lately for want of Oppertunity. I conclude you have heard of the death of Our Col. Willard. Our Lt. Col.2 has been Ill, but has recoverd, so that our Circumstances have been very uncomfortable. I have had my Health exceeding well except a very bad Cold in my Head & Throat occasioned by the Soffocating Smoaks I draw in while visiting the Sick, Praying & Preaching abroad in very thick & raw cold Air &c. which are very prejudicial to the Head. However I have recoverd of it & have otherwise enjoy'd exceeding good Health, as yet having had nothing of a seasoning as 'tis call'd to wch. all New comers are liable. I hope these Lines will find you in good Circumstances of Health &c. We jogg on here in the Old Road. The Fort is neerly finished, & as strong as Chebucto. Bad Colds are plenty among us, but 'tis not a dying Time. I have many Perticulars on which I could enlarge to you, but I do not esteem it safe, & beg you would excuse me for the present. I hope Eunice will not take it amiss that I answer not her Letter perticu-323larly. It deserves an Answer which I care not to trust on the Road. Let us Content our selves for the present that we hear of each others welfare & if we meet I hope we shall not want for conversation. Remember me to all enquiring Freinds. Tell them I often think of them tho' exild to a dark corner of the Creation. Please to Convey the Inclos'd; This comes from yr. Brother & Freind

ROBERT TREAT PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Joseph Greenleaf Mercht. at the South End Boston per favr. Mr. Sumner"; endorsed. Enclosure not found.

1.

Not located.

2.

John Whetcomb (ca. 1712–1785) of Bolton succeeded Willard as colonel of the regiment. He later served as general in the provincial forces during the Revolution (Henry S. Nourse, "A Forgotten Patriot," Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, new ser., 7:94–106).