Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, 17 February 1792

Dumfries 17th Feb. 1792

My dear Sir,
If this finds you at Moffat, or so soon as
it finds you at Moffat, you must without delay wait on
Mr Riddel, as he has been very kindly thinking of you
in an affair that has occurred of a Clerk's place in
Manchester, which, if your hopes are desperate in your
present business, he proposes procuring it for you. - I
know your gratitude for past, as well as hopes for the future
favours, will induce you to pay every attention to Glenriddel's
wishes; as he is almost the only & undoubtedly the best
freind that your unlucky fate has left you. -

Apropos, I just now hear that you have beat your
foes, every tail hollow huzza! Io! triomphe!
Mr Riddel, who is at my elbow, says that if it is
so, he begs that you will wait on him directly - & I know
you are too good a man not to pay your respects to your
Saviour. - Yours Rob.t Burns.
turn over.

Mr Riddel will be in Dumfries until Sunday, midday,
so you will find him here. - If you don't come & wait on
him directly - you will never be forgiven. -
R. B. -