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, relating to the election, General Charles Cornwallis and general news of family and friends. Napier begins the letter by writing that he has often heard the expression that patience is a virtue but it is never found in a woman and Hamilton's last letter to him is proof of this. Hamilton has accused him of not answering a letter and Napier accuses her of the same and objects to her asking him to beg her pardon. He writes that if he 'happens to be in a gracious mood when' he receives her apology then he may decide to forgive her.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier is to go to Holyrood house to vote 'for our sixteen representatives' and he is sorry to inform her that there is to be no opposition and hence he will not have the opportunity of showing himself to be a patriot. Napier writes that after the election 'the right honourables dine together, & in the evening those who don't amuse themselves with the Battle will make their appearance at an assembly'. Napier is to attend the assembly but his 'adorable' will not be there as she will be assisting her cousin prepare for her wedding.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier also writes of the success of General Charles Cornwallis in America [possibly refers to his capture of Charles Town in America. First Marquess of Cornwallis, Governor-General of India (1738-1805)] and notes if there were a few more soldiers such as him then there 'would soon give a turn to American affairs'. He continues that now 'parliament will probably meet the K[ing] in good humour, a circumstance which could not have been expected had this fortunate piece of news not arrived in such good time'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier ends the letter by informing Hamilton that he danced the previous evening with Lord Glencairn's sister. Hamilton may not find this news important but Napier writes that it is 'astonishing proof of [...] [his] good humour, as there is nothing [...] [he] detests so much'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Edinburgh.</p>