Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 27 July 1814

Fort William 27th July 1814

My dearest Mother!

How are you! Well, I heard through Wm
you were, who was also at that time very well.
I have been in remarkable good health, and am
so now, but rather thin in consequence of pretty
close study; in this country 8 & 9 hours hard reading
independent of what we read at College is an
engaging labour, and would [?] old fat Crosby
the Group himself. I must sincerely sympathise
with your feelings on the loss of the worthy
James McClure, of whom hath William told
me, he was a staunch friend to us, a friend in
deed for he helped us when [?] in need, I fear you
will feel his loss in regard to your House as the
amount was very small I will now be raised, should
this be the case, do my dear Mother, go into some

other neater and more comfortable, for the one
you are in is damp, large, & has no one recommendation
to get a better you will of course pay a larger rent
that shall be my business to math up as I am well
aware that your circumstances will not admit
of you increasing your expenses. I hope they
will continue as when I left you. I wish
fervently I were out of debt, when I could
easily make up a comfortable addition to
your income, but still shall with [?] be able
to make up the overplus of House Rent, so do
get another House. I positively wh[?]
will not enter the present one you are in
I heard from William of the unfortunate
turn in Robert's Affairs, this the most vexed
me as but a day or two before a letter from
my Uncle mentioned his [?] him [?]

considerably. I wish I could help him but [page torn]
not in possession of 1000 pounds a year if I was
I think, I should be a good Man in deed as well
as principle. I wish you would speak to
Mrs Perochon & see if she could manage to get
someone to write to Lady Loudon about me, the
Dunlop family ought to have interest with him
General D. was at the death of Lord Loudon
appointed one of her Guardians. I was
very happy to hear from Mr Wilson to
whom Mrs Perochon had written of his
welfare and that of her wa[?] husband.
May they long continue to give my
best respects, I was write with her some day
soon. Give the enclosed to Miss McKnight.
Remember me to all my friends-
Your most affectionate Son

J.G. Burns
Answer my questions
about my father