Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

350 FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LETTERS. [1702.
[a] small affair that concerns her youngest sone, Patrick. Shee had written to you
anent it herself, but her bashfullness would not alou her ; and therefore it was
putt upon me. It seems the boy was sent up to London with a designe [to]
have been bred a seaman ; but, unfortunatly, he fell in the French hands, who
stripped him, and took from [him] any little money that he had. And, besides,
when he came to London, he could not obtain the King's letter, which necesi-
tates him to supplicate his friends for some small releiffe, that he may be putt
in a way of living. There is a merchant there that hath promised to take him,
if once he were bred a year or so att bookkeeping, quhich a small soume will
doe, and after that he needs not be troublesome to any of his freinds, which
hath occasioned my ladies applicatione to you, amongst the first and best of his
freinds, and to Calderwood and some others, to see what may be done for him.
I shall not take upon me to advise you to doe any further in this affair than
whether your inclinationes leads you ; knowing that they allwayes lead you
to that which is generous and good. But if it would not be a hinderance to your
other more important affairs, I know my lady expects your answer. However,
whatever answer you give to the petitione, I hope you will pardone this peice
of trouble given you by him who shall allwayes accompt it his greatest honour
to be,
Sir,
Your affectionat cusing and most humble servant,
To Sir John Maxwall of Nether Pollock.
William third Earl of Kilmarnock to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok,
Lord Justice Clerk.
Paisley, May 8th, 1702.
i2. My Lord, the honor of your presence heir vpone Thursday nixt, the fourteenth
instant, at eight in the morning, to accompany the body of Mr. James Boyd,