Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
Mr. Austin is kind eno’ to let me know that he is just going to set out for Philadelphia. I thought I would imbrace the opportunity to let you know that we & our Taunton friends are all well. Capt. Manley’s appeal from a Judgment of a maritime court to the Congress is the occasion of Mr. Austin’s Journey.1 Altho’ the capture of the Vessell with Stolen good belonging to several Merchants here is a lucky affair upon the whole, yet the trouble & expence attending the tryals at Portsmouth & Phila. will settle a great loss upon the owners of the goods even tho’ they should be restored to them. It was generous in them to offer Manly £1000 Sterling after they were cleared by the Jury. I cannot see upon what principle the Jury could have condemned them. They were not the property 289of the enemy, nor treasure trove, but stolen goods; & it is every mans duty to detect thieves.
Our coast is infested with several Frigates & Cutters who frequently take our vessells & retake our prizes. Is it impossible to equip our Ships of War lately built? If they are not soon at sea this town will be in a distressed condition. We shall not be supplyed with fuel for the approaching winter.
I durst not ask what the congress are about, whether any negotiations with foreign States have taken place? We are amused with a Story of a Conference to be had between a Comtte. of the congress, & lord How, but can’t learn the Subjects: we seem to be between hope and fear as to the consequence but put great confidence in the rectitude & wisdom of the Congress.
Sister Eunice is with us, & well. We lament it that your children could not be here to receive the small-pox but the prohibition so soon took place that we could not get Nabby & Polly to Town soon enough to be innoculated. My wife & I are just about settg. out on a Journey to make a short visit to our friends at Taunton & as we must take the cool of the morning this hot season I must for the present conclude & subscribe myself yr. friend & brother,
See “Extract from the Minutes of the Continental Congress,” Sept. 30, 1776 (below).