Bath-Town in N. CarolinaMay 26th. 1752 Revd. Sr.,1

Not having Any Prospect of arriving at NEngland by the Usual Time of Solemnizing the Annual Commencement; with profound Respect, I present my Petition to you for an Admission to the second Degree of the Arts & Sciences.2

The Regard I have for that Honour, wch. is derived to me from my Education under you at H. C. Emboldens me to apply to you for a Compleatment of the same.

Sensible of the Regard Esteem & Respect, I bear to the Honble. & Revd. Governours of that Society, I trust to yr. Candour to overlook the167Unpoliteness of this my address, hoping you will not Expect the delicacy of the Muses from Amidst the Atchievments of Neptune, or the Sublimity of Harvard from the Deserts of N. Carolina.

Altho this Epistle may declare me Unworthy the favr. I have ask'd yet my Heart, Subscribes me yr. Dutiful Son Most obedient & most humble Servt.,

ROBT. TREAT PAINE

LbC ; addressed: "To the Revd. Edward Holyoke President of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge New England." Enclosed in RTP to Joseph Greenleaf of this date, preceding.

1.

Edward Holyoke (1689–1769), ninth president of Harvard College (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 5:265–278).

2.

RTP's petition was granted, and he received his A.M. degree. There was no commencement in 1752 because of the smallpox.