Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 4 August 1813

Jarra Minzapore 4th Aug 1813

My dearest Mother!

I yesterday received your kind
letter of the 27th December 1812 and also one |NB| from
Miss McKnight both of which I need not tell
you gave me the greatest delight and most
sincere pleasure. You have been greatly
misinformed respecting my promotion, which
(unhappily) is not the case, being yet but a
Cadet, than [?] told, and shall be
an Ensign long before this reaches you. I am
rather astonished at Robert was ignorant
of it not being in the power of any Governor
General to advance our Office in our Service,
where every one rises by [?] & c, from
the time of his entering the Service. You seem
to think I am not [?] in [?]. You
are right - Lord Mintre's manner of receiving
me and his subsequent behaviours but to soon
convinced me that there was a great deal of
insincerity under the smiles and complaisance of
a Man in power; however he is going home
 

and by letter from Robt |for I have at last heard
from him| I understand that Sir J [?] is to [?]
letters for me to Lord M[?], which may be of
use as Lady Loudon comes from Ayrshire. You
need not be afraid of my [?] daggled with my
lump, of which at present there is but little
prospect. They talk of various new Regiments
I wish they may as it will be of infinite service
to me in the way of promotion. I was extremely
happy to hear of the approaching recovery of
Mr McClure; if ever Man deserved good, he
does, for he has a worthy heart; [?]
kindness throughout to your family; my most
sincere wish is that he may enjoy every human happiness & comfort, remember me kindly
to him & Mrs McC. and all friends. How I
wish I was among you! But -- I am in
motion. Wm Thorburn informs us that
the long talked of improvements to the River

Nith and Town are commenced upon; in your
next give me a long account of them. They will be
finished before I am there which will be |Fortune
favouring| 9 years. What a long time to look
forward to! I shall with to-day or to-morrow
to Miss McS[?], to whom remember me
kindly; she has permitted me to call her
by the enclosing Name of birth; her letters
are an infinite source of pleasure to me, [page torn]
She really writes in a very superior style.
I have had a letter from Robert at once, the
last dated 20th Jany 1813 gave me the satisfaction
of hearing of your welfare Wm was
quite well the last time I heard from him--
The weather is so insufferably hot that
I must desist. I am My dear Mother
Your most affectionate

Son
J G Burns