Letter from Robert Burns to Patrick Miller, September 1787

Sir, I have been on a tour through the Highlands and arrived in town but the other day, so could wait on you at Dalswin-ton about the latter end of August as I had promised and intended. - Independent of any views of future connections, what I owe you for the Past as a Friend and Benefactor when friends I had few and benefactors I had none, strongly in my bosom prohibits the most distant instance of un-grateful disrespect. - I am informed you do not come to town for a month still, and within that time I shall certainly wain on you, as by this time I suppose you will have settled your scheme with respect to your farms. - My journey through the Highlands was perfectly inspiring : and I hope I have laid in a good stock of new poetical ideas from it. I shall make no apology for sending you the enclosed: it is a small but grateful tribute to the memory of our common countryman. I have the honour to be, with the most grateful sincerity, Sir, your obliged humble serv.t, Rob.t Burns Please tune over Edin.r 28th Sept 1787.

P.S. I have added another poem, partly as it alludes to some folk nearly and dearly connected with Ayr-shire and partly as rhymes are the coin in which the poor Poet can obly pay his debts of Gratitude. - The Lady alluded to is Miss Isabella McLeod, Aunt to the young Countess of Loudon. - As I am determined not to leave Edin.r till I wind up my matters with Mr Creech, which I am afraid will be a tedious business; should I unfortunately miss you at Dalswinton, perhaps your Factor will be able to inform me of your intentions with respect to the Elesland farm, which will save me a jaunt to Edin.r again.- There is something so suspicious in the professions of attachment from a little man to a great man that I know not how to do justice to the grateful warmth of my heart when I would say how truly I am interested in the welfare of your little troop of angels, and how much I have the honor to be, again, Sir, your obliged humble serv.t Rob.t Burns