Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 29 May 1811

H. C. Ship Lord Castlereagh
Torbay 29th May 1811

Dear Mother

Contrary winds having obliged us to
put in at this place which as it gave me an opportunity of writing to you my Dear Mother gave me expressible pleasure. I have been rather sick but not too much as my brother Cadets for we have five besides myself which together with the officers of the ship which consist of the 1s 2nd 3rd 4th Mates and assistant Surgeon form an uncommon comfortable variety.

I cannot help expressing to you what obligation
I am under to the chief Surgeon who has given
me leave to go into his Cabin and has put
even my books into it which if he had not
done I should have been extremely uncomfortable as we are allowed to keep but one small trunk up I should not have been able to have for I should have had to keep them in my chest

which I get up but once a fortnight or three
weeks sometimes but I forget he has also had the goodness to put one of my trunks in his cabin which gives me the privilege of keeping another up in the place where we sleep in; he intends on his return to Edinburgh which is his native place to go by Dumfries and stop a Day or two if you could[?] and will be able to give you any information respecting me which has in his power. I have to write in such haste Don’t what [?] but this I can assure I am very comfortable and h[page torn]

Giving kindest wishes to Mr McClure and her
kind. I will ever remember his gratitude
for his kindness to me as also to Miss Anne Mc
Night and Shave a long [?] for her which I [page torn] send her from Maderia where we put up
understand as Also to J. Bogie Well[?] my lo[?]
or my [?] Willy and all friends.

Now I am your ever dutiful
Son
J G Burns