Taunton feb 27 1781 My dear,

I recd. yours1 on Sunday & the Cloath for Bob. I Sent Joe Last wensday night to Keiths but it rain’d So he was oblidge to come home to day he Sets out againe for Boston I hope he will go through. I wrote to you Last week but finding no opportunity did not Send it I wish when Joe comes home you would Send Some flour for it is 6 hard dollars had here & thats not good if you could Send Some Beef or mutten it would be very acceptable. I wish you would open the old Trunk & get the peacess of Charles Breeches & Send by Joe for his Breeches are so wore I Cant due without. I want to know when you intend to come home. I hope you will take Care of your Self I fear your Cold will make you Sick dont you want me to take Care of you. My kind Love to Mr. Greenleaf family.

In haste yours S. Paine

I Could wish for Some good tea.

RC ; addressed: “To the honble Robert T. Paine at Boston”; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

Dighton March 5th 1781 Sir,

Mr. Caldwell has shewn me a number of Papers respecting his Claim upon Latta’s Estate:1 It plainly appears from these that Caldwell never had a sufficient Allowance from Latta for the House &c; nor did either of them ever expect it would be deem’d an absolute Conveyance. Viewing Matters in this Light I am very solicitous that Caldwell as an honest, a poor, and innocent man should be righted if posible. He tells me the affair is committed by the House, and is confident that one Word from you in his Favor would remove all Difficulties in his Way; and was anxious I should write you a Line upon it. This I do without hesitation, and would esteem it a particular Favor could you interpose in his Behalf; but, at the 151 same time, am very sensible, that Justice and Humanity will regulate your Conduct in this as in all other Instances.

I am with great Respect your most Hble. Servt. William Baylies

RC ; addressed: “To The Honble Robrt T. Paine Esqr. Boston”; endorsed.

1.

On May 11, the General Court resolved that Robert Caldwell could redeem the “small house, store, and potash works, with appurtenances” that were mortgaged to William Latta, an absentee, for the sum of £150. (Acts and Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts [1780–1781] [Boston, 1890], Chapter 160 [Apr. 1780], 452–453).