LETTER IX
My Dearest Life,
I am uneasy you have never got any of my letters and I am much afraid you are in want of money. I have writ six letters since you left Britain, and in every one of them beg’d (you) to cause your factor to draw upon his correspondent for 100 pound. Pray do not want what is necessare nor be afraid of want, for I hop we shall always have enough. I am told things have a better aspect of late and I am hopfull our friends att London will be safe. As to the fortunes, if things should come to the worst, I hop we shall still have what will give us what is needful for Life. In the meantime I am as easy at home as I can be when absent from you. I must own that is the greatest part of my suffering but I dare not allow myself to think of itt. When I consider how mercifully you have been preserved, and that you have a good country and liberty, the sad state of many good people has hitherto affected me so much, I thought myself happy in comparison. Your friends have been very careful to doe me all manner of kindness, and I am very sure I am to be as little pityed as any in my state. I have had 3 of your letters which gave me great comfort. I wish both of us may be thankful for every degree of mercy we meet with, and submitt with chearfulness to what Providence orders for us.
I was some time perfectly incapable of doeing anything being so much overwhelmed with greif, but saw soon the folly and fault of giving way to it, and am now doing all I can to be usefull to you in your present circumstances. I hope God will bless my indeavors for I shall endeavor to doe the best without anxiety which I have been too long liable to. I shall be glad to hear you are well in your country retreat, and are contented with your present state. Your mother has been here, and writ to you in my last letter. She is both cheerfull and easy. Her concern was great till you was gone, but she has none now, for she does not doubt your family will be preserved and she hopes this will make you good.
I told you in my last old W.’s work was given up; it went off, and we thought it a good opportunity because of impertinent people talking, and both Ch. and P.C. have several projects in vein to secure itt. How or what way things will be no body can yett guess, but if you are preserv’d I fear nothing. For your boys I have not the least concern or fear they will ever want. They are young, and there may be many changes before they are men.
I have planted trees and put all the hedges to rights, and shall not fail to take all manner of care that nothing you have done be lost. I find my Counsel think I have too much land in my own hand, and they incline I should let out in Tenantry the place I do not live at. I must own I think I have more to do than I can well manage, but I fear you will lose all you have laid out, and it will not give so much now to let it as it might do sometime afterwards; but I have no money to lay out on improvements, but I would be glad to have your own opinion. You will laugh at this way of writing, but I have some faint hope you will never be attainted, having ’scapt the first brunt. You will hear many of your friends is gone to Holand, some are yet in this country.
I hear Rob Roy’s house is burnt and his cattle caryed off by a party. He thought fit to wait for them in a wood, and, they talk, has killed a great many. I am sorry for it. I have heard nothing of Mr. Beggar, but nobody doubts but he will have work enough this summer.
Pray write often and oblige me, for all you have writ comes very safe to my hand. I told you before P. C. is att London, and I believe you may have no doubt but he will serve you. I hear his friend, Andrew, is very great at Court and is a great Countryman. I hope God will bless their endeavors.
I am angry you never mention Kid or Mill for I have a great desire to hear of them, but I do not wish you to be with them in case it would stop what your friends is earnest to have done for you here. Your boys are well and want much to see you, and ask me how many years it is since their Papa went away. Dearest Life, wishing you all happiness.
Adieu.
Apr. 13.
I am very well in my health.