Letter of Robert Burns to Robert Graham, Jan 7th 1794

Sir,
The language of supplication is almost the
only language in which I have it in my power to
approach you, & I have your generous commands for coming
to you with it, on every opportunity. - I hope, & know then,
that you will forgive me, for mentioning to you a
circumstance which has come to my knowledge, & which
it is possible, though, I am afraid, by no means probable,
may be of some service to me.

Mr Corbet is I know, at the top of the Collectors'
List, & as there they are most of them old me, it is
extremely probably that the place he holds may be soon
vacant.- That place - supervisor General - is, I
understand, nearly secured for Mr Findlater, my Super.r
here. - Could it be possible then, Sir, that an old
Supervisor who may be still continued, as I know
is sometimes the case, after they are rather to infirm
for

for much Duty, could not such an Officer be appointed
to Dumfries, & so let the Officiating Job fall to my
share? - This is a bare possibility, if it be one, so I
again beg your pardon for mentioning it, & I have done
with the subject.

You will have seen, or heard of a Publication of Scots
Songs, under the hand of Playel; & where I appear in
some of the Scots Poesy of the Work. - Miss Graham
will do me the honour to accept of a Copy- a trifling,
but most servant tribute of Gratitude, to the best Friend
& truest, almost only, Patron, I have in the world: a
Gentleman whose manner of bestowing, would give a
pleasure to the feelings to unfortunate Royalty.-
Should the Chapter of Chances & Changes, which God forbid!
ever place a Child of yours in the situation to need
a Friend, as I have done; may they likewise find that
Generous Friend that I have found in you!

I shall order a Copy of the Sonatas as I have none
by me, to be sent from the Publisher.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your grateful humble

Rob.t Burns.