Harry ALEXANDER Letter 2 to Alexander LEITH

To Alexander LEITH, Esq. of Glenkindy
A copy

Dear Sir Antigua Decem. 8th 1753

The length of my last of the 15th June 1752. a copy which I herewith trouble you, as I know neither this or it will now be attended with additional expense, I believe requires apology in particular, as well as in other respects; a sanguine inclination to communnicate laid me into the transgression of the first from the overflowings of a heart charged with many things relative to the welfare of its cover and as such my friend in some degree interested, wherefore could I not omit doing, both you and myself that _____ there being, from friend to friend, a mutual comfort in hearing and imparting. This verily carried me, perhaps beyond a due bounds; yet how could I help it? My very soul openeth to you, and I cannot contain my thoughts, nor does my pen deny its duty. I chose not to ___ of things in general regarding my last nor any farther touch upon them, I rather mention than ___ them, nor would I have given you any duplicate or any way touched upon mu former had I been quite certain of its having reached your hands.

At the time of my writing you last you'l observe I was deliberating upon partnership, in trade, with a gentleman in this place, who at that time much proposed (?) such an union, but how much will you share in my good luck when I tell you, that just within a little of the time we were to have united, he broke for no less than twenty five thousand pounds! Notwithstanding all my care and caution I did not see this, till the hour it came upon him, and how I had discerned some failings in himself which his friends and my own were in great hopes I should have been able to have corrected, that made me a little suspend my determination I should have been plunged into his ruins, whose follies I __ no part in: As God thus delivered so will be, I hope teach me due thankfulness; yet in the midest of my own good luck I cannot help lamenting the loss of him who is my particular friend, Charles ALEXANDER, Esq., & who is a suffered of near four thousand pounds by this man, however as providence hath blessed him with affluence so has the wise dictator teached him the right use of such bounty without rejection for the loss of part thereof.

This narrow escape hath almost determined me against any future treaty or engagement of this kind, as it is, alas! as difficult to know as uncertain to depend on any appearances of sincerity, so many flawing instances daily happening that neither honor, conscience, gratitude nor any sacred or social ties can bind or restrain us! This very man, me thought, was in love with me; then why should be have then sought my ruin and, in consequence, the destruction of my little family? Whatever opinion people in general might have had of me, yet from thence he could not have thought it practicable to have supported himself, under so heavy a burthen, and his per___ must soon have been known to me, tho too late for me to have had any redress.

Since this affair happened my schemes are much altered and I have now some thoughts of engaging in renting home good estate, if one should cast (?) up; several ___ lately had in offer, but as I have friends who are ready to enter into a security for me of twenty thousand pounds sterling I am determined to waite with patience till some thing of consequence comes in the way.

I am sorry to tell you that for some months past my health has been much impared from a severe fit of rhumatism derived, I believe from a violent cold to which I weakly exposed myself by too great an opinion of my own strength; from as active a little man as most I was reduced to the mortifying condition is requiring the assistance of a stick to walk by; I am now I thank God tolerably well recovered and I begin to resume my usual gaiety and sprightliness, yet I think to establish my former strength & health a sharp pinching ____ would be ____ to brace up my nerves again, therefore immediately I entertain some thoughts of taking a tour home among you for a few months and if the happy increase of my health and strength, with some new engagement that would absolutely require my presence, does not induce me to alter, I shall certainly put this intention in execution & indeed I begin to have a longing, which grows upon me, to return home to see my friends and could I once more see my friend your worthy father my happiness would be complete.

Some time ago, and indeed in the midest of my own illness, I received the melancholly accounts of brother ALEXANDER's death which afflicted me much. I am now left the only surviving son of a large family and were I to calculate my own chance from those gone before me the period of my own existance cannot be far remote; this God only knoweth and I hope he will fit me for that great change, so that I may not be surprised when it cometh.

I am most happy in a wife and two pretty babes, CHARLES & JANE, they are very well and promising enough, in a couple of years hence I intend my son either for Scotland or England, which indeed I have not yet quite determined, tho I know the former will be the cheapest and I know not but that confirmation abstracted, the best. If I am spared I will, in that, discharge my country to him. I mean respecting his education.

My cousin Mr. McSWEEN (?) is in a very happy way and doing extremely well, of which please acquaint his mother and other friends. My love to my aunt and compliments to my cousins I doubt not but she & they are glad when they hear of my well doing.

I shall only beg leave to assure you that you cannot more oblige me than by supporting, at times, a correspondence with me nor can you show me a higher regard as that is the only testimony friends at such distance can give each other, this will come to your hands, or at least to Aberdeen, by the favour of my friend Mr. William FORBES of this place, who should you have an opportunity of seeing him he can, as we are very intimate, give some account of me, I am assisting his business & short stay, will not permit his going into the country, yet by his return I will flatter myself with hearing from you.

Mrs. ALEXANDER joins me most affectionately in compliments to you, your good lady and family. And to your father, mother, brothers and sister with my love to my sister, Mrs. LUMSDEN, her husband & children & to every other friend who may enquire for.

Dear Sir,

Your most affectionate cousin and obliged humble servant.

Harry ALEXANDER. [Signature]

To Alexander LEITH, Esq.
of Glenkindy by the favour
of Mr. William FORBES