Jany. 22. 1780 Dear Sir,

I have long expected to have had the pleasure of seeing you in Congress: but I now begin to despair. Pray are Have you wholly disengaged yourself from public affairs? I cannot persuade myself you have. I should therefore be glad to know whether you at times turn your attention to the nursing of Salt petre making, a child of your own, which cost you much pains at the birth. I fear through the carelessness of the nurses it is in a dangerous way.

To Drop Allegory, I wish to know whether people continue the manufacture of that useful article: And shall be much obliged if you will send me a paper written on that subject by (If I recollect) a clergyman pointing out 109 an easy & expeditious method of making it by mixing lye of ashes with the lye extracted from earth.1 Your Compliance will much oblige

Sr. Your sincere friend & Most humble Servt., Cha Thomson

RC ; addressed: “Robert Treat Paine Esqr.”; endorsed.

1.

RTP had widely distributed a pamphlet on the subject by Dr. William Whiting (see Whiting to RTP, Oct. 6, 1775, RTP 3:92–95).