The Mary Hamilton Papers : Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton

Napier, Francis Scott, 8th Lord

The Mary Hamilton Papers

<p style='text-align: justify;'>Letter from Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier, to Mary Hamilton. He notes that Hamilton is his only confidante regarding the woman he wishes to marry and provides her with further information. Her name is Leslie and she is the granddaughter to the late Earl of Leven and the daughter of General Leslie who is currently serving in America. He has waited upon her and her aunt has written to him and informed him that her father does not wish her to marry before she is 20 and she is now 18. The family is quite positive towards him but her grandmother is to be consulted. Her fortune is £15,000 'of which the Gene[ral]s life rents £10,000'. Besides Napier's pay, his current income is £300 per annum. ‘Interest of £5000 – £250 – total £550 – too little for a Lord & Lady’. Leslie is to leave for the country immediately and he shall not see her again until Winter. His sisters suspect his attachment but he denies it. He is upset at the idea of waiting so long to marry and hopes her father will change his mind.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Edinburgh.</p>