Robert Treat Paine
Robert Treat Paine was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1731. His father performed the duties of a clergyman until his health compelled him to leave the sacred desk. He then commenced the mercantile business. The mother of Robert was the daughter of the Rev. Robert Treat, an eminent divine of Eastham. From these religious parents, he imbibed those virtuous principles that guided his course through life.At an early age, Robert Treat was placed in the classical school of Mr. Lovell in Boston, where his embryo talents expanded into rich and luxuriant growth. At the age of fourteen, he entered Harvard College. When he graduated, his parents had become so reduced in circumstances that they needed monetary aid. He once commenced teaching a public school to provide ways and means,an occupation of more importance and dignity than is generally awarded to it.
From the avails of his school, Mr. Paine supported his parents and a maiden sister in poor health while pursuing his professional studies. He commenced theology but subsequently read and entered upon a successful law practice. He continued at the Boston Bar for a time but ultimately settled at Taunton, where he acquired a substantial reputation as an active, sound, and discreet lawyer. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his numerous acquaintances and became celebrated as an advocate. He was among the first to oppose the innovations of the crown and promulge liberal principles. He was a member of the Convention called by the citizens of Boston in 1768 to devise measures for preserving their sacred rights, which Governor Bernard vainly attempted to disperse before the members had completed their deliberations. At the instance of Samuel Adams, he was employed to conduct the prosecution against Captain Preston for ordering his men to fire upon the people of Boston on March 5, 1770. Upon that trial, he exhibited great zeal and ability. During the accumulation of the revolutionary storm, he was uniformly in the conventions and upon the important committees of the people. Many of the boldest resolutions that were adopted came from his pen.
In 1773, Paine was elected to the Assembly of his Province and was one of the members who conducted the impeachment of Peter Oliver, then Chief Justice, accused of acting under the dictation of the King instead of the Assembly. In the prosecution of that trial, Mr. Paine manifested strong talent and outstanding professional skills. In 1774, he was again returned to the Assembly and boldly warned the people against the dangers to be apprehended from the appointment of Gov. Gage to succeed Gov. Hutchinson. It was plain to his mind that the nefarious designs of the British ministry were to be enforced by the bayonet unless the people tamely submitted to slavery. An awful crisis was approaching. A larger committee than at any previous time convened at Boston, which proposed and urged the plan of a General Congress to be held in Philadelphia. Governor Gage ordered them to disperse.
Mr. Paine was a member of the Provincial Congress convened in Concord, Massachusetts, in October of 1774. He superintended the preparation of a spirited address to the people of England, which put many in the mother country right and did much to rouse the Colonists to a just anger towards the overbearing ministry. In 1775, Paine was a member of the Continental Congress. He was chairman of the committee on the manufacture of arms and for furnishing the army and was indefatigable in his labors for the glorious cause of Liberty. He often said: " I fear we shall become enslaved because we are not diligent enough to be free. " Mr. Paine was on the committee to prepare a constitution for his native state and had the credit of framing that instrument. In 1776, he was a member of the Continental Congress. Paine served on the committee with Messrs. Jefferson and Rutledge, who prepared the rules governing that body's action. He was one of the committees to inquire into the causes of the disasters of the campaign in Canada.
In 1777, Payne was speaker of the House of Representatives. The same year, he was appointed attorney-general by the unanimous vote of both branches of the legislature. He was a prominent member of the committee that formed the Act, reducing the price of labor and goods to a standard of equality. In 1779, Paine served on the Executive Council. He discharged the numerous duties imposed upon him to the satisfaction of his constituents. He had expended all his earnings in the cause of freedom but a scanty support. He was then appointed a judge of the Superior Court. He continued on the bench until 1804 when ill health compelled him to resign. He discharged his judicial duties with justice and ability and did much to advance the interests of religion, social order, and a sound state of society. On his resignation, he was appointed a counselor of the commonwealth. He continued to impart his helpful advice and shed around him a benign influence until the King of Terrors closed his career on May 11, 1814. Calm and resigned, he slept in death. He entered Jordan's flood with a full assurance of being hailed with the joyful sentence: " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." If the bright examples presented here fail to benefit the reader, his virtue and patriotism are paralyzed.