Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 31 December, 1792

Burns devotes the first page to announcing that he is to be investigated for disloyal political conduct by the Excise. He fears the consequence may mean losing his job. He is concerned for his family and the loss of respect which could result from an unfavourable review. He then denies the allegations, claiming that they have been falsely uttered out of envy and that he will be proved innocent by telling the truth at all costs.

In page two Burns continues his denial of wrongdoing, claiming that the accusations were made by a villain and are pure lies. He moves on to appeal in abject tones to Graham's friendship, leaning on the obligation he feels for his patronage and appealing to his humanity. He claims that while if he had been single and without the responsibility of a family, he could face the prospect on his own but his family ties force him to appeal to the good offices of his patron to save him from this undeserved plight.

The last page concludes Burns's appeal for Graham's support and apologises for his 'confused scrawl', suggesting that he has not even checked the content before sending it off. It is known that a draft of this letter had existed so Burns may have been leaning on his poetic licence to infer that he 'knew not well' what he had written.