Boston February 18 1762 Dr. Sr.,

I hear you Tax me with a breach of Friendship, what in Town & not leave a line for me, o the unsociable wretch, he is turned Hermit, he thinks of nothing but his Hogs, Horses & Cows & intirely averse to every thing that is Sociable, intirely forgot his old Friend for whom he used to profess so sincere Friendship.

I confess Dr. Sr. I have been too negligent of my Duty in not keeping up my Correspondence with you which I am very Sinsible would turn to my advantage. I am Sensible of my Error & am determind upon a Refermation, but however my friend the Fault of one will not atone for the fault of an other. You was in Town last Week (Thurs) three Days & did not leave a line for me I was in Town but a few Hours & had not a moments before of I had I Should I have improved it in writing to you. I assure you there is no Person that I want to see as much as I do you & the cheif Reason of my coming to Town this week was to See you expecting that you would attend the Supr. Court. I have got the money that was due to you from Dodge1upon Note? he would not pay the Account. I have recd. Bacons Abridgt.2 & expected to have paid you for them this week. Be so good as to let me hear from you the first Oppertunity & let me know what the Price of Bacon is. I am Sr. yr. Sincer Friend

ABEL WILLARD

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine in Taunton"; endorsed. Sums are tallied on the verso.

1.

There is no account for a Dodge amongst RTP's lists of accounts or in his cashbook for this period.

2.

A general abridgment of cases in equity, argued and adjudged in the High court of chancery &c. by Matthew Bacon was published in London in 1732 in the first of several editions; his A new abridgement of the law appeared in its first edition there in 1736.