Boston Jany. 2d. 1756 Honored Sr.,

I have just time to present my Duty to you & inform you, that since the middle of Septr. last, I have been in the Army toward Crown Point in the capacity of a Chaplin in the Regt. whereof Samll. Willard Esqr. was Col. I should have wrote you of my going, but want of Conveyance & great hurry hindred; we had the misfortune to bury our Col. there. I enjoy'd my health well, & am return'd safe.1 This extraordinary Excursion was unsought by me, & contrary to my Inclination, but was overperswaded. I hope it has done no hurt in any Respect. I am now return'd to my Study of the Law wch. I purpose to practice If I can find a place where, wch. at present seems but dull, especially under the prospect of a War. I would gladly settle if I could, but the World seems to be unsettled. I hope to hear yr. Welfare soon, meanwhile I remain yr. dutiful & much oblig'd Son

ROBERT-TREAT PAINE

P: S. Remember me to Mr. Freeman.

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Thomas Paine Mercht. at Hallifax per favr. Capt. Knox;"2 endorsed.

1.

The camp at Lake George broke up on Nov. 27, and RTP set out for Albany, arriving there on Nov. 30. He stayed in Albany until Dec. 6, passing the time in visiting friends, purchasing a horse, and settling accounts. He rode home by way of Kinderhook, New York, through the Massachusetts towns of Sheffield, Blandford, Hatfield, Hadley, Brookfield, and Gardner to Lancaster, where he arrived on Dec. 20, 1755.

2.

Capt. William Knox, a mariner of Halifax whose unpaid note to the estate of Thomas Paine was not settled until 1758. See John Hurd to RTP, Halifax, July 6, 1758.

Boston Jany. 10th. 1756 Dear Eunice,

I begin to write, expecting to send it by Capt. Ford,1 but wt. I am about to write I know not. However this may serve to assure you I think my self at Boston, otherwise I should not date from thence. Where I shall write from next I don't know. Moreover I am well, saving very hungry. I hope by the Time I have finish'd this Side to think of sundry things I want to write abt. Dr. Sprague says you must play Toss Ball for the health of yr. fingers; & thence I argue that Miss Thea2 must338play Foot Ball in order to recover Strength in certain Limbs wch. Maidens have no Name for.

I have pondered much on living near you, & the more I think, the more I desire it, but I belive I must first spend a little Time at Lancaster, a month or two, & then if nothing interferes, I shall glady comply with Mr. Cranch's kind Invitation. I expect to set out on Tuesday Morning, & shall write as soon as may be. Pray write to me; & give a full Swing to a humrous Fancy as Occasion offers, for I think no profit arises in dwelling long on gloomy Subjects. Remember to Mr. Dyres in a proper manner, & Capt. Ford's Family; & let Freind Cranch know my Resolve. The Stile &c. will convince? you I am yrs &c. &c. &c.

R: T: PAINE

RC ; addressed: "To Miss Eunice Paine Resident Weymouth Per favr. Capt. Ford"; endorsed.

1.

Eunice Paine was boarding at the home of James Ford (1724–1782), sea captain, at Weymouth (George W. Chamberlain, History of Weymouth, Massachusetts. 4 vols. [Weymouth, 1923], 3:230).

2.

Probably Theodora Dyer, usually called Dora.