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 writes of John Dickenson and of his commission as Captain in his regiment. It is so long that Hamilton had mentioned Dickenson to him that he had assumed that she 'had put an end to his hopes' [of marriage]. He gives his opinion on the match. He believes that Dickenson conduct proves that he is sincere. Now that Hamilton is no longer in her position at Court 'he can have no ambitious views of increasing his fortune from' her access to the Royal Family and her own fortune is not large enough to tempt him. He believes that Dickenson's proposal comes from Hamilton's own merit. He writes that Dickenson has had to make himself more 'an humble supplicant on your Imperial Will'. He advises that Hamilton has made Dickenson wait long enough 'for your Ladyship's hand'.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier also writes that his commission as Captain in the 4th or King's Own Regiment of Foot soldiers as at last been signed and the regiment is now in Dublin. Once the Review is over for the year he has applied for a leave of absence. he has business before the House of Peers relating to the sale of his entailed estate which may make it necessary to be in London.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at Edinburgh.</p>