Dartmouth March 16th. AD, 1767 Sr.,

I1 receiv'd your very kind letter of the fourth Instant,2 and the amiable verses Inclosed; some of which, are really Poetical painting; particularly the three first. The third verse I have some where read, and took it as an extract from Milton. Indeed they are all Miltonick, Picturesque, & Striking; and I am greatly obliged to you for the pains which you have taken, to give me the pleasure I have receivd in the perusal of them. That Juvenile production of mine, in answer to the fourth letter of the free Inquiry, &c. concerning moral evil; which you once desired to see, I will send you when I have leasure to transcribe it; Tho' it can give you no pleasure; it being but a very weak answer to the most absurd reasoning. The Revd. Mr. West3 has promiced to send me a very Judicious answer to the Berkleyan Principles, wrote By Mr. Reid.4 Mr. West has so far given in to the Principles inculcated by this book, that he almost doubts the truth of immaterialism. When I have read it through, I will let you know if I think the Author's reasoning Conclusive. However I do not think I am so good a judge of metaphysical reasoning as formerly; there is somehow, an aptitude in Our natures to contract the habits, & dispositions of those that surround us: at least there is in me, for the dull people, with whom only I am doom'd to converse, have forc'd me to receive on my mind the impression of so many absurd, Incoherent Ideas, that it is next to an Impossibility to dispose my thoughts in that regular manner close reasoning requires. I dont know why I say all this to you, unless it be to prove by example the last observation above. I am dear Sir your Sincere Friend and Humb. Servt.,

DAN HATHWAY

RC ; addressed: "To Robert Treat Paine Esqr. at Taunton"; endorsed.

1.

Daniel Hathway of Dartmouth, Mass., described himself as a "Practioner of Physick," when he assigned his power of attorney to RTP on Mar. 12, 1771 (RTP Papers). He later served as a surgeon during the Revolution (Mass. Soldiers & Sailors, 7:511, 529).

2.

Not located.

3.

Samuel West (1729/30–1807), a 1754 Harvard graduate and minister of the First Congregational Society of New Bedford. He was characterized in later life (1801) by Josiah Quincy as "celebrated for the strength and metaphysical acuteness of his mind . . . and not less remarkable for singular slovenliness and oddity of behavior" (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 13:501–510).

4.

Thomas Reid, An inquiry into the human mind, on the principles of common sense (Edinburgh, 1764). Reid attributed his philosophy "not to genius but to 'time' and the arguments of Berkeley and Hume" (DNB).

Boston March 31. 1767. Sr.,

I am favd. wth. yours of 27t Instt. & note the Contents shall apply to Mr. Molineux abt. Hellon.s papers, to se if there is any thing respecting my affair wth. Rogers to be found. abt. Ten days ago I wrote Mr. Benj. Hood abt. repairing the House at Neck of Land, as Conclud to Repair it & then let it at a price according, & when ever a purchaser appears I will sell it.

I wrote to Cary abt. Hill's order for Eben. Woodmansey's Wages, but the Letter has miscarried, as no answer has been yet recd. & I have never thought any thing about it since, but will Immedy: write again per an oppy. wch. now offers to the West Indies & when can find out any thing about it, will let you know. I am Sr. Your most hble. Servt.

GILBERT DEBLOIS

PS. Pray be so good as to send me your accot. as have leasure time now to look into it & make a settlement.

RC ; addressed: "To Robt. Treat Paine Esqr. In Taunton"; endorsed.

Martha's Vineyard 27th April 1767 Sr.,

I1 have the Care of a Case by Appeal from this County to Barnstable2 Elisha Ommo Applt. vers John Atset: apple. an assault:3 and as I shall want your assistance Desire you not undertake if you should be405Solicited: & I will make you proper satisfaction. from Sr. your Huml. Servt.

JAMES ATHEARN

RC ; addressed: "To Robt. T. Paine Esqr."

1.

James Athearn (1725–1814) was a lawyer at Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard. He represented Tisbury in the state legislature at this time, was appointed clerk of the court and register of probate in 1761, and became judge of probate in 1775 (Charles Edward Banks, The History of Martha's Vineyard, 3 vols. [Boston, 1911–1925], 1:507, 508, 510, 3:23).

2.

At this time the Superior Court held a joint session for the counties of Barnstable and Dukes at the town of Barnstable.

3.

No record of this case appears in the minute book of the Superior Court, which RTP did attend at Barnstable on May 13, nor in his cashbook or minutes of trials (RTP Diary).