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. The letter relates to Napier's eldest son William [9th Lord Napier of Merchistoun (1786-1834), naval officer and trade envoy]. He writes of his son's desire to go to sea. Napier wondered at his choice but consented and wrote to Sir John Warren to place him on his ship the following spring. Napier writes that 10 days ago Mr Dundas made Napier a voluntary offer of sending his son to India ‘with the view of putting him in the way of repairing the worn out Fortune of our Family’. He has written to William asking him if he has definitely determined on the navy. He will leave the decision to him. ‘My wish is, to be the friend of my Children, not their dread’, and he will not force them into a profession they are not inclined to.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Napier also writes that his coming to London in Spring was entirely due to the subject of the ‘Union with the Ireland [Act]’. He has also voted for a measure known as the ‘adultery bill’. Napier assumes Hamilton's sentiments on the subject will be in opposition to his.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dated at St Albans Street.</p>