History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

2i8 YOUNG JAMES'S LETTERS
other expenses due to Mr Veitch, a relative of the late member for the Dumfries
Burghs. He had assisted Dr Finlay, and Mrs Murray thought that money was
due from him to Richard, but no one seems to have asked, and James ended
by paying up everything.
" Annan, Aug. 31, 177 1.
" Hon. Sir,— I have received your letters, and am very happy to find you
so well satisfied with the execution of the business you directed to be done,
and am sorry that it is not in my power to send you copies of the deeds, etc.,
as you desired both in your letters. Neddy's writing is very intelligible, and
only wants a little practice to perfect himself in shorthand writing. The reason
of my not sending you the booksellers' offers was that I had none to send in
the least worth your acceptance. I offered them to him for is. each copy,
but he said he could not think of dealing with me on such high terms. I told
him I would not give them much lower, but keep them to advertize next winter.
I was the less solicitous to sell them as I have great hopes of their going off
next winter. Dr Gregory gives the Institutions, and I do not doubt but he
will mention it honourably.
"The sum I borrowed of Dr Henry was £j, 7s. I will be much obliged
to you, if convenient, to send it to him immediately. I intend writing to him
this evening. His History has sold exceedingly well in Edinburgh. When at
Dumfries I enquired of Thomas Bushby, who is cashier to the Bank, as well as
of his brother John whether the assignation was intimated, and he assured me
that it was, but there is a further necessary step he required the other notary
to take, i.e., writing the execution on the back of the original copy with the
names of the notary. The person in whose hands the money is and another
third person subscribed. This was done at Sir William Maxwell's and Mrs
Moore's, and I desired Bushby to get the same done at the Bank. He promised
me to do it last Thursday. I saw him in Annan on Wednesday, and shall be
at Dumfries the beginning of next week myself, when if he has not done it
I will take care to have it done.
" Gallabank desires me to tell you he has paid James Moffat 40s. for the
dyke at Closeheads, and that there is as much as will cost 20s. more remaining
to be done.
"This is all the business I have to write to you about, and have only to
add that, as some persons through whose hands your letters sometimes pass to
my grandfather and grandmother are not likely to put the best construction
upon your words, I would wish when you write to them that you would
cautiously word any expressions which may be misconstrued to your disad-
vantage, and when you mention General Lockhart will you be so good as to
give him his title, 1 because when you write only Mr Lockhart it is misconstrued
either as a wilful disrespect or pride. I know you will excuse me mentioning
these trifles, as an attention to them may be a means of further promoting that
family peace which you are so desirous of establishing.
1 This was not usually done when the title was a foreign one.