"Pain of Treason" seems to be a phrase. I'd love this to be the Pain Q is talking about. Long shot but thought I would put it out there.
https://www.sethkaller.com/item/1383-The-Declaration-of-Independence-%E2%80%93-Rare-July-1776-Massachusetts-Spy-Printing-with-Paul-Revere-Masthead
http://www.maxstandridge.net/fweexter.htm