Haverhill June 2. 1776 My very dear Sir,

Had I known you were wishing to hear from me, a Letter should have been dispatched by the first Oppo.; without such knowledge, you will admit a Fear of breaking in upon your important Avocations as a sufficient Apology for my Silence.

Your very obliging Favour of the 9th May1 was handed me two Days ago, & this additional Testimony of your friendly Remembrance, you will permit me to say was as refreshing as cold Water to a thirsty Soul!

The Small Pox in Boston has hitherto prevented my Removal there, being apprehensive of Danger to a dear little Girl wth. wch. Heaven has lately blessed us.2 The major Part of my Goods are left in the State & Place where in wch. I stored them; when they will be opened I cannot now determine.

Mr. Howard I fear is in a very disagreeable Situation. I cannot learn any particulars respecting him.

How fervently I join in your Aspirations for “the friendly Sociability of peaceable Life,” is beyond my Capacity to express. Shall we ever again enjoy more happy Moments of domestick Intercourse we have formerly known? Shall we ever again meet in the friendly Circle, where I found blended, Pleasure & Improvement. In the Multitude of such Thoughts within me, I wish I could tell you the Comforts of Heaven delighted my Soul; we certainly need Support beyond the Reach of Reason of Philosophy. (if you will allow the duplicate Phrase). But tho it is Sunday I would not have you imagine I am going to preach, or if I had any thing thought of it, that I should arrogantly begin wth. addressing you.

I hope you got a Letter from me last Summer. You say nothing of it, but I think it was so conveyed that it must have reached you.

I am charged to present the affectionate Regards of my dear Lady as you kindly stile her & earnestly hoping I may live in your Esteem & affection. I am yr. Obliged Sincere Friend

S.E. 217

your Effects are all safe I believe the Maps I am sure are.

RC ; addressed: “Robert Treat Paine Esqr. In Philadelphia pr. Favr. Mr. Bartlet”; endorsed: “Saml. Eliot June 2. 1776.”

1.

Not located.

2.

This was the only surviving child of Samuel Eliot and his first wife, Elizabeth Barrell. In 1806, Frances Eliot (1776–1820) married Joseph Bray, an Englishman who settled in Boston ( NEHGR 81[1927]:6).