1758 Dear Friend,

These few Lines Comes hoping to find You well as they Leave Me1 & I hear You have got a Letter of Mine & I desire You to Send it or bring it. I wonder You wou'dt Send it by our Dick. I wanted dreadfuly to hear from our Molly2 for I Suppose it is from her.

I wish when You Send it you wou'd Send word how Your Girl does tell her that I Say the Grass is Grown finely, & She May have the Ynkingest Frolicks that ever was with You. We are all well here But our Nathan who wrestleing hurt his Collar bone. Mother Say that She Never See Such a Booby in all her Life time. You never See Such a greate Straping fellow in all You born days as did do it. Lawfull Sus, well I e'en Most forgot to tell You that our Nab went out with Long Shank't Jedediah—You no him Nasty Duke—as ever was. I hate him. I wonder in My Heart how She can go with him. She been gone tow Day—& father Say he will go & fetch her home. They all Send Love to You—Mother says She will Give You Some fresh Butter If you come home & bring Your Girl. I remain Your Loving Friend till deth do us part,

JEMIMA

PS, Training Day Poss'et Sight of Folks.

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine In Boston. Q.D.C."; endorsed. Written on address leaf: "Arma virumque Cano3 Trojæ cano4 RTP 1758"; also four undeciphered lines in shorthand in Paine's hand.

1.

Unidentified.

2.

Possibly Mary Fletcher.

3.

Arms and the man I sing. Virgil, the opening words of the Ænid.

4.

I sing of Troy.