Halifax July 21. 1759 Dear Sir,

Your Friendly Letter1 I2 have recieved. My deplorable Blank I do as heartily regret as any Occurrence of my past Life. Miss Porter's Weight (as you justly observe) is increasing, and for this very Reason Mine would decrease should there be a Conjunction of our Corporeal Force in145the Matrimonial Way. I rejoice at your Southern Intelligence, for had I been Noticed at all I fear it would have disserved rather than promoted my Moral Character.

In our Dearth of News we greedily recieve a Fisherman's Report, that a French 74 Gun Ship is taken, and carried into Louisbourg Harbour. Nothing as yet from Canada. You have undoubtedly heard of a Ship siezed in this Harbour, and Condemned; bound from Oporto with Wine & Fruit and designed to join Admiral Saunder's Fleet, being owned by some Gentlemen with him; the Master of the Ship had the Admiral's Certificate for his Illicit Trade. She is said to be Worth 4000£ Sterling.

Let me depend upon your Epistolary, and most Exhilerating Correspondence. I am with great Sincerity your Friend and Servant,

JOHN BROWNE

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine Attorney at Law In Boston. Pr. Favr. Captn. Jones"; endorsed with notes by RTP in undeciphered shorthand.

1.

Not located.

2.

John Brown (1724–1791), a 1741 graduate of Harvard and minister of the First Congregational Society of Cohasset, served as a chaplain of a provincial regiment at Halifax, Mar. to Nov. 1759. For a time he signed his name "Browne" (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 11:12–17).