Edin. 9th July 1791
My Lord
It gives me the utmost pain to trouble
your Lordship with this Letter. -- But I trust your known
Goodness of heart will plead my excuse better than I can
express it. -- From what passed at a meeting of the
Faculty this Day, I have been informed (for I was not
present) that there may be some risk of a vacancy
in the Sheriffship of Dumfries. -- If your Lordship
shall be of Opinion that I am a fit Person to
fill such an office, I hope you will not think it
wrong in me, most earnestly to request your
Support. -- Mr Dundas I should gladly flatter my
self will not be Averse to such an Appointment; but
this and every thing else upon the Business I
leave to your Lordship.
I am so much Distressed and Agitated
with what has happened, which I never knew any
thing of until last night, that I doubt if I have expressed
myself in such terms as I ought. -- It wd be too much
presumption to beg the honour of an answer. -- I have
the honour to be My Lord
your Lordships most obedt.
& obliged Servt.
R. O. Dalzell