Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 23 November 1811

Calcutta 23rd Nov. 1811

My Dear Mother

I arrived here two days ago after a very
tedious though not uncomfortable passage. I am now in con=
sequence of my letters of recommendation, written at the
House of a Mr Clark to whom I had letters from
Sir J Shaw, he has been very kind to me and shown
me a great deal of attention, as also Mr Ferqason
his partner. I have delivered all my letters all
except to Mr & Mrs Wilson who are in the country
and I doubt will remain there for
some time. I delivered my letter to Lord M[?]
but he was very cool & has not as yet given me any
invitations. I don’t know what he may do. There
a letter to Sir George Nugent the Commander
in Chief but he has not yet arrived here.
Lieut. A Ewing whose letter I delivered is very
well d has been particularly attentive to me,
since my coming here. Formerly the[?} to
[?] College for the Cadets to go to an

their arrival to study the language and learn the
exercise, but through the bad conduct of the Young
Men then it has been abolished and they are ap-
pointed to Regiments immediately on their arrival.
I am p appointed to do duty with the 9th Regiment
of Native Infantry lying seventy miles up the
Country. I am only to act as Ensign as there are
no vacancies in the Army. I have seen John
[?] who who is very well, and doing duty
with the 12th N. Infantry at a place sixteen
miles from Calcutta. Ewing has introduced
me to [?]several Officers here in
Fort William When we [?] previous to our going
up the Country to join our Corps. There is a
Capt. Stewart who he introduced me
was at C Madras six weeks ago and saw
William who was very well there and
doing duty with a Regiment then, but
I suppose you have heard of him since
I came away. I wrote to him yesterday
 

and will have an answer in the command of
a few weeks. The letters which I had to him
He [?] so as of infinite service to me as through
him I shall be introduced to several Officers
of the regiment which I am attached to.
Mrs [?] Dixon from
Nith bank (who came out there to [?] arrived
but on her arrival found the man to whom
she was to be married, already married to
another Woman,) are going home and one or
other of them will deliver this to you [page torn]
having time I cannot write to Mr & Mrs Perochon
having no time being so much hurried preparing to
go of the Country, but give my best respects
to them and tell them I delivered one of their
letters to Mr For[?] upon who was very kind to
me, the others I have not had an opportunity
yet, one of them a Mr Lindsay is dead, the rest
I shall deliver shortly. Give my best respect to
all my friends and particularly to Mr McC[?]
who I hope is better, and also to Miss McKnight
to whom I shall write if time will permit, but [?]
she shall at any rate by the next fleet get a
good long letter with a short description of the country
through which I shall pass. William Maxwell

& Richard Mundall I will write by the next fleet give them
my best respects. I am afraid Miss Anna will think I am neglecting
her, but I assure you If I had time I would write her, for you
can't imagine what a rush I am in, visiting and getting ready for
going up the country. Give my respects also to Mr B[?]
& I hope he has by this time got his [?] in the [?] of [?]
[?]. Tell Miss McKnight to write me as often as
possible as also you yourself must do directing to the care of
Mcpr[?]Fairlie &c It will reach me up the country. This
sad scrawl I hope will be excused. Wishing you health & happiness
believe me my dear Mother,

Your affectionate Son
J G Burns