Edinburgh 11th July 1791
Sir
I cannot resist the impulse I feel
of troubling you with the inclosed letter, and
Lord Advocate having mentioned that he has
informed you of the subject referred to in
it, relieves me from the necessity of going
into any detail upon what is in itself so
disagreeable.
I know that if it can be done with
propriety, you will be inclined to assist an
unfortunate family, and without such assistance,
I am afraid the female part of it will be
extremely destitute.
I do not wish to suggest to you, but
might not something be done in the way
of an arrangement which was talked of for
merly. Is there any objection to giving
Mr Dalzell the sheriffship of Aberdeen? for I
cannot think that any person would find fault
with whatever should be done in _his_ favour,
and I am persuaded that Mr Elphinstone would
discharge his duty unexceptionably, were he to get
the Sheriffship of Dumfries.
There were objections to giving Mr A. that She-
riffship at the time he got it -- but Mr Dalzell
stands in a very different situation, and at
any rate, what I have taken the liberty of
suggesting would seem to remove any difficulty
so far as I am able to judge.
On the best information I have been able to
get Mr A. will be scrimply able to pay his
debts, and what is to become of his mother and
two unmarried sisters, unless something can
be done for them, I am unable to say. Whether
there would be any impropriety in giving them
a small pension, I beg leave to submit to
your consideration. Mr Dalzell has a family
of his own, and it is impossible he should be
able to support the whole, unless something
be done for him.
I request your forgiveness for giving you
so much trouble, but I look upon th ecase as
a clamant ione, and could not refrain from
submitting it to your consideration.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedt & hu[mble] s[erva]nt
Geo. Fergusson