Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 23 September, 1788

Page one opens with Burns explaining he is stricken with what he describes as 'this fashionable influenza' and thanks Graham for his prompt reply which has taken Burns almost a week to collect from the Post-Office due to the work on the harvest.

Burns's thanks are most effusive, with him suggesting tears of happiness and explaining how much his anxiety is lifted by the patronage and protection he derives from Robert Graham.

In page two Burns continues to praise the generosity and patronage which he has received from Robert Graham and admits that there is little he can do in return but acknowledge this benevolence.

The page continues with Burns coming back to the doubtful short term prospects offered by his farming efforts and reminding Robert Graham of his earlier request to make an Excise position available to him by the following summer.

Page three is where Burns explains his alternative suggestion by which a vacancy could be made for him in the Excise. This time he suggests that since his farm is only five miles from Dumfries perhaps one of the several Dumfries Division Officers could be removed with more propriety than the local agent Smith whom he had suggested earlier.

He admits, however, this would be more inconvenient for him and reminds Graham that, in his opinion, Smith would not be financially embarrassed, being 'a wealthy Son of good-fortune'.