Letter from Alexander Findlater to William Corbet, 20 December 1790

Dearly,

Mr Burns informs
me that, in consequence of a communication
between you & some of his friends, he has stated
his case to you by letter & express his wishes
on account of his family of being translated to
a more beneficial appointment:- And, as at
our last [?] at Stirling you hinted a
desire of being certified of the propriety of
his Character as an officer of the Revenue. I
shall [?]tracted from every Consideration of
his other talents, which are so universally [?]
[?[, in a few words give you my Opinion
of him.- He is an active, [?] & zealous
officer, gives the most unremitting attention
to the duties of his office, (which, by the by
is more than I at first look'd for from so eccentric
a Genius) and, tho' his experience must be as
yet but small), he is capable, as you may
well suppose, of achieving a much more
arduous task throw any difficulty that the

[?] a practice of our business can
exhibit. - In short - being such as I have
described - and, believe me, I have not
"a'[?] the modesty of" truth - he is truly
worthy of your friendship: and of your
recommendation can help him forward
to a more eligible situation if you will
have the merit of considering an Obligation
on a man who may be considered a
credit to the profession. - I am
Dear Sir
Your most Obedient
humble Servant
A. Findlater

Dumfries
20 Dec. 1790