Lunenburg March 1749/50 Sr:.

Severall things I1 might take notice of in your word of advice which I think may be found fault with, Instance in one it may so happen when I buy a pr. of Oxen that I may give a note to pay for them which Note may not be out till the time of Service is over then it would be an injury in some measure perhaps to me to pay for them because of Loss of Interest of Money.

But let things be as they are, I pray you would inform me whether Dishonesty or unrighteousness abstractly considered, is not so, whether in detaining my Ox mercht. from his money or in that person or you perform in breaking open my Letter, whether the Law is not as much expressly against one as the other, whether the Latter does not deserve the greater penalty or punishmt. as tending to the greatest Detriment, thus Sr. one Word of Advice to you, Let Letters pass for the future without adulteration and you will not discover yourself condem'd in the Crime & so escape the Slander & Punishmt.

S: H.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. R. T. P. in Luninburg"; endorsed: "Samll. Hunt March 12. 1749.50"

1.

Samuel Hunt of Lunenburg later served the town in several offices including selectman and as a captain on the Crown Point Expedition in 1755 (Nancy S. Voye, ed., Massachusetts Officers in the French and Indian Wars, 1748–1763 [Boston, 1975]). He was not related to the man of the same name who married RTP's aunt Experience Paine.

Boston March 13th. 1749/50 Brother Treat

I recd. yours 10th. Inst.1 pr. Lieut. Bellows, who is the Bearer, of this, And I know not how to begin in a more Acceptable manner to you than by Informing that I've recd. three Letters from Father since I wrote you last &, as it is his desire, so I now Inclose his Last Letter to which I referr you for particulars.2 As to what you mention about a School near Boston, I have to reply that there is a Vacancy at Wrentham abt. 26 Miles from hence where you may be Accomodated if you see Cause Or if it Suits Better, you have the Offer of a Grammer School at111Bristoll where you may have your Own price; and I am desired pr. Mr. Church3 to Inform you that poor Bristoll is in great distress for want of a Master, & that they will provide you a horse & pay yr. Expences there & home if you incline to go & make a Bargain.

If I knew what to advise as to School keeping, or Any Other Business I should not be Backward but as you ask my Advise I shall Just say that I think in this Unsetled time it will be most prudent not to Hurry into Any other Business for All Business is now Stagnated, And no Money but Province Bills or Silver will pay a debt or buy any Valuable Commadity; therefore you Sallery Men must beware.

We are like to have great Overtures in Business, & Every One is now upon the Look-out & Men in Business seem to fear their Own Shadows for Even those who have as much due to them in good hands as they owe, Expect to be mighty Sufferers notwithstanding that they receive a Sufficiency of those who Owe them to Discharge their Own debts. The Case is, they have it not in their power to make a Man pay 50/ that is in debt 45/ to advantage themselves because they must pay their Own Debts at the same Rate.

I shan't add but Just to Inform you that we are (thro' Divine goodness) all Well, and yr. Sisters both Joyn with me in sending all due respect's, and am yr. Loving Brother,

JOSEPH GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: “To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine School=master att Lunenburgh"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

See above, Thomas Paine to his children, Feb. 19, 1749/50.

2.

Benjamin Church (1704–1781), a native of Bristol (then Mass., now R.I.), a 1727 graduate of Harvard, and a vendue master at Boston. He was the father of Dr. Benjamin Church (1734–1778) (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 8:12–29).