Boston Sep:5 1755 Dear Brother,

Man being made a Soociable Creature and Endued with Rational facultys renders it absolutely nessesary in order to his Felicity here; to have some person with whom he may Converse. And how much does it add to this felicity, if he has been so happy as to have found valuable friends to double and to Share his joy. But how much is this inhanc'd if in the name of Friend he can add that of brother and what a pitty is it that this is so rarely the Case. Dear Treat, I often reflect with uncommon delight that tho' there is but three of us (a small number) yet if we were brought to the test and Compar'd with other familys of greater numbers I make no doubt but that the Rational, Benificent love & friendship that Lodges in our Breasts & rules our Conduct to each other wou'd vastly over balance this greater Number. Let us each Strive to feed this Celestial flame and add to the tye of Nature that Stronger band of a Chosen Friend and may neither of us have reason to repent this choice but always find a breast willing to receive and ready to give a word of advice or Comfort to Censure or applaud as Curcumstances Call for. We are poor Creature while in the body and often want the assistance of another to enable us to act our part in life so as to gain applause Either as men or as Christians. I look upon you to be a proper person to aply to in either of thesse Cases. You have had opertuntys of Knowing men and have made the relative Dutys your Study as well as that great Obligation we are all under to the Divine Author of Nature. So that I am Sensible the Advantage lies on my Side in this point Since I am not able to Serve you if wanted in this way but all that I can offer is devoted. We are like to be Seperated for the present and so not in a Capacity of Serveing each Other in any Other way then by often asking of the Omnipotent to undertake for us, and overrule every Event So as to Serve to our best good and highest happiness. And I Cant help adding (and without blame I think) for our Comfort and reputation in this life. This is all I Can Say with respect to the Strength of our Enemys, if you Conquer it will Certainly be for your Honour and interest. But it gives me Some uneasiness lest you Shou'd be forc'd to quit the field with loss. But I must Leave the event with my best wishes for Success. But to keep up to my own Sentiments Sister must have her Share in our thoughts and I know nothing will be more pleasing to you then to here that she is better in health. She306writes that she has a prospect of more Comfort in life then for a long time past and finds that riding every day Serves her much. She went to Weymouth a fast day after meeting and finds the Station agreable. Our Friends there are all in usual health. I have Sent her word of your prorogation but she has had no opertunity to convey a line Since but you may Expect Somthing worthy your perusal from her pen Soon. She has a great share in my Concern and I doubt not in yours. ‘Tis certainly Malencholy to See a person whom nature has furnish't with So many valuable Endowments Languishing away a young Life. But I hope there is now a prospect of her recovery that it may prove so is my Constant wish. But if it be ordered otherwise I make no doubt but she will receive the summons with Calmness and be ready to make the Exchange of pain Sickness and Sorrow for a permanent injoyment of that Felicity which she often makes the Subject of her meditation and always is Striving to obtain the assurance of by a Steady observance of the Sacred rules which she Seeks to as her unerring guide.

Tuesday Morning, I was disapointed by Mr. Wilders going out sooner than I Expected so omited finishing this Letter and now am in so much haste by reason of the Coll's hurry that I must break of abruptly. I shall Send your Comb & Spoon & a hankerchief. I and my family are in Good health. I wish to have been one of your Auditory a Sunday but hope hereafter to have that pleasure. Wishing you a Confirm'd State of health high Spirrits and a Blessing upon all your undertakings, I Remain your Loving Sister,

ABIGAIL GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robert Treat Paine an Lancaster"; endorsed.

Boston Sepr. 9th. 1755 Brother Treat,

I perceive per Colo. Willard that you are yet at Lancaster and in good health. I hope yr. Courage will Increase as the time of yr. approach to the Enemy hastens. Our Assembly you know have Voted 2000 Men1 to Joyn your Army and there seems a willingness thro'out this Town to Contribute all in their power towds. Effecting this Necessary Business. If Providence Should permit all the Troops destin'd for this307Expedition to meet together They will make a fine Appearance. My heart is with you, & could I bear the Fatigues of such a Campaign I'd not fail of being with you soon. I wish all Imaginable Success & hope there will be a Suteable dependance upon Providence apear in all the Army. Numbers & Strength without the Blessing of Heaven is not Sufficient to depend upon. It must be confes'd we have a fine Army, & it is in defence of their Libertys, both Civil & Religious, & for the Security of their Estates that the Chief of them take up Arms.

My Countrymen in general seem to have the true British Notion of Liberty and no doubt Jump in Judgment with the Poet when he says,

"The Love of Liberty, with Life is given, "And Life it self's th'Inferiour gift of heaven." Dryden2 "O give me Liberty, "For were even paradice it self a prison, "Still I should Long to Leap the Cristall walls." Dryden. 3

I hope you will inspire the Soldiers under your Care with Just Sentiments, & urge them to their duty from proper motives, & teach them their dependance upon God for Success. Who shall bring our Army into the Strong holds of our Enemys? Wilt not thou O God? &c. I forbear Lest I should be tho't to dictate being Sencible I now move in too Large a Circle. I hope you will not fail to write me every Opertunity from the Camp, & shall be uneasy to hear of your Success. I commit you to the Care of Providence & am yr. Loving brother,

JOS: GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine att Lancaster"; endorsed.

1.

The Massachusetts General Court passed the act for raising 2,000 men on Sept. 8,1755 (Mass. Province Laws, 3:872–873).

2.

John Dryden, Palamon and Arcite: or, The Knight's Tale, Book 11, line 291.

3.

John Dryden, Don Sebastian, King of Portugal: A Tragedy (London, 1690 and later edns.), Act II, Scene I.