Chapter XLIV: 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.