Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 9 December 1813

Jarra 9th Decr. 1813 -

My dearest Mother!

Since I last wrote you nothing
material has occurred to myself. There are a
certain number of Corps here called Provincial
from their being quite distant from the regular
Corps, and taking the duties of that province or
district only to which they belong, except when
there is a great scarcity of troops when they act
as Regular Battalions; to some of these
Officers are appointed to do duty without any
interference with their standing in the Corps
to which they propertly belong, and to which
they are at liberty to join at pleasure; with
one of these just raised, the Mingapour Battn,
I am appointed to do duty at this place, where
I shall remain for some years, as we never
change stations, but though we have plenty
of marching, being out most of the year to
protect this frontier, which frequently

is annoyed by marauders from the neighbouring
provinces. At the end of eight years you
may expect to see me in Dumfires, as
I am bent upon taking a furlough, surely
no probability of ever being able to retire on
any thing like independence, so I’ll just
save as much money as will enable me to enjoy
myself in Europe two years, and, I if I can, get
married, come out again & spend the rest of my
days in India. Is this not an elegant plan?
I assure you it is one I shall be able to ac=
complish. The gentleman who was to take
my picture home poor fellow, died on reaching
the ship, and you will consequently not get
it this time and probably and probably not at all, as
Calcutta is a long way off and ^it may be broken
or sold with his effects; however I will get
another done. I wish you would take the
first opportunity to get yours taken, and send
it me, it would give me such pleasure, do this

my dear Mother; when you go to Edinburgh, which
you intend, it can be done then and I will defray
the expense, as I am aware out of your income
you cannot. My pay is now 200£ pr. Annum
or 16 shillings [?] per diem. Several Ships
have arrived and not a letter for me! What
are you all about? Do write oftentimes. I will
write often, but as I am near nobody, whose
welfare you are interested in, and news of any[page torn]
kind is scarce, that my letters will [page torn]
short & insipid, but as they convey accoun[page torn]
of my welfare I trust they will be acceptable
This Country at this Season is delightfully
cool, at nights cold, I sleep with two thirds
English blankets, and I a [?] cloth lined with
cotton very thick. I heard from Mr C[?] lately
who was doing well. Remmember me [page torn]
to Mr Mclure & Mrs, Miss McKnight, [page torn]
all friends. No more [?] very [page torn]
[?] [page torn]