Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham
Sir,
When I had the honour of being introduced to you at Athol-house, I did not
think of putting that acquaintance so soon to the test. - When Lear, in -
Shakespeare, asks old Kent why he wished to be in his service, he answers,
"Because you have that in your face I could like to call Master:" for some
such similar reason, Sir, do I now solicit your Patronage. - You know, I
dare say, of an application I lately made to your Board, to be admitted
an Officer of Excise. - I have, according to form been examined by
a Supervisor, and today I give in his Certificate with a request for
an Order for instructions. - In this affair, if I succeed, I am afraid
I shall but too much need a patronising Friend. - Propriety of conduct
as a Man, and fidelity and attention as an Officer, I dare engage for; but
^with anything like business, I am totally unacquainted. - The man who till
within these eighteen months was never the wealthy master of ten guineas, can be
but ill-acquainted with the busy routine. - I had intended to have closed
my late meteorous appearance on the stage of Life, the country Farmer;
but after discharging some filial and fraternal claims, I find I could only
fight for existence in that miserable manner, which I have lived to see
repeatedly throw a venerable Parent in the jaws of a Jail, where, but for
When I had the honour of being introduced to you at Athol-house, I did not
think of putting that acquaintance so soon to the test. - When Lear, in -
Shakespeare, asks old Kent why he wished to be in his service, he answers,
"Because you have that in your face I could like to call Master:" for some
such similar reason, Sir, do I now solicit your Patronage. - You know, I
dare say, of an application I lately made to your Board, to be admitted
an Officer of Excise. - I have, according to form been examined by
a Supervisor, and today I give in his Certificate with a request for
an Order for instructions. - In this affair, if I succeed, I am afraid
I shall but too much need a patronising Friend. - Propriety of conduct
as a Man, and fidelity and attention as an Officer, I dare engage for; but
^with anything like business, I am totally unacquainted. - The man who till
within these eighteen months was never the wealthy master of ten guineas, can be
but ill-acquainted with the busy routine. - I had intended to have closed
my late meteorous appearance on the stage of Life, the country Farmer;
but after discharging some filial and fraternal claims, I find I could only
fight for existence in that miserable manner, which I have lived to see
repeatedly throw a venerable Parent in the jaws of a Jail, where, but for
the Poor Man's last and often best friend, Death, he might have ended his
days. -
I know, Sir, that to need your goodness is to have a claim on it. may
I therefore beg your Patronage to forward me in this affair till I be
appointed to a Division; where, by the help of rigid Economy, I shall try
to support that Independence so dear to my soul, but which has
too often been so distant from my situation. -
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your mist humble serv.t
Robert Burns
S.t James' Square
Monday morn
days. -
I know, Sir, that to need your goodness is to have a claim on it. may
I therefore beg your Patronage to forward me in this affair till I be
appointed to a Division; where, by the help of rigid Economy, I shall try
to support that Independence so dear to my soul, but which has
too often been so distant from my situation. -
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your mist humble serv.t
Robert Burns
S.t James' Square
Monday morn
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/56
- Alt. number
- 3.6087
- Date
- January 1788
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Graham, Robert
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/56
- Alt. number
- 3.6087
- Date
- January 1788
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Graham, Robert
Description
Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham. Date in pencil refers to January 1788.
In this two page letter, Burns writes to Robert Graham to ask for his patronage in his application to become an exciseman. Graham, whom Burns had met the year before at Blair Atholl, had recently been appointed an Excise Commissioner and the support of a man of influence was needed to be successful.
Burns opens the first page by reminding Robert Graham that they last met at Blair Atholl and then uses a quote from Shakespeare to position his request for Graham's patronage. He explains that he has progressed to the first step with his application to the Commissioners and that if he is successful he will need a friend to advise as well as support him.
On this second page Burns repeats his request for Robert Graham's patronage until he reaches the point of being appointed to a Division in the Excise. This fairly advanced position is the one which Burns feels he must reach if he is to achieve the independence he has so far been unable to attain.
Burns reflects in this letter on his inability to have become a successful farmer and that his decision to look for another career is also explained by the miserable existence of his own father's experience where, had he not died when he did, might have ended in jail.
On this second page Burns repeats his request for Robert Graham's patronage until he reaches the point of being appointed to a Division in the Excise. This fairly advanced position is the one which Burns feels he must reach if he is to achieve the independence he has so far been unable to attain.
Burns reflects in this letter on his inability to have become a successful farmer and that his decision to look for another career is also explained by the miserable existence of his own father's experience where, had he not died when he did, might have ended in jail.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham