LETTER XIV
It is three weeks now since I heard from my Dearest Life and I begin to be very impatient. I expect to hear from you every fortnight, and when I doe not I am apt to fancy you are either gone some message, or are not well, for all your friends in the Government has had you gone to Sweden; and if I had not heard from your self I should have been too ready to believe it. Your friend P. C. writ to me from London. He was not a little uneasy he had not heard from you, by which I reckon he has writ to you. I writ three posts ago to desire him to remit the other 50 pound I mentioned in my last, and did incline to send more, but as I told you at this term all had enough to doe. But I doubt not in a little time to have more money at London for the effects are gone from this, and it will be cheaper to send it from thence; and P. C. being to stay there for a long time, when you think fit write to him and he will be sure to answer you, for I doubt not he has let you know how to direct him.
I have hitherto been pretty lucky in my little affairs, and in a little time we will give you a good account of them, if they let me alone from Bills of Attainder. I wold be glad to know your opinion whether it’s proper for your Brother R. to cause his master interpose with the present powers now when they are to have an interview, or in what manner he should doe it; whether to ask a gift of your Life-Rent, and a little article put in to secure all to yourself, tho’ you did not come home for some time, for I fear you wold not incline; but whether you do or not you will live the better (if) your estate be secured. I am sure so far you will be of my mind, and if this Act of Parlyment pass and you be attainted, no body can be sure of anything; and it excluded the payment of all debts since the 24 of June last, so that both for your own sake and others, if so fair an opportunity offer it should not be neglected, and if it be agreeable to you, and you signify your opinion to Charles, he will go over to Holland on purpose. This I have often heard him say. I have writ to you on this subject before, so, as soon as you can, let me have your opinion.
Your nephew, James Haldane, is to be resident at that court where your Brother R. is so great. Your mother is still here, and tho’ we are of very different sentiments, we live in good friendship and easy. Your boys are now perfectly recovered, which is no small mercy to me, and if my Dearest is well and easy in his mind, I have more than I deserve. Our friends are still in the Fleet, and there can be no evidence got against them.
I must confess when I walk abroad and remember all your different projects, and how pleased I have been to find you in some of these walks, I cannot help being uneasy till I think you are at liberty and well, and luckyer as to other circumstances than the most part of people, then I blame myself for unthankfulness. Your old freind Barafeild made his escape out of the Castle of Stirlin last week, which enrag’d the new Governor very much. I shall be obligt to see my father this week; but I cannot persuade myself to visit these great folks, tho’ it certainly is fit for me to keep in with all, and they profess great friendship for me and regret for your family, tho’ none for yourself. I can at some times be a politician, so at present I think interest will prevail with me to keep in with all.... Be so kind to write frequently, for it’s impossible to express my anxiety about you. Dearest Life, I am ever
June 4. 1716.
Yours.
I am healthyer than you or anybody could expect.