From correspondence and miscellaneous literary manuscripts of Margaret Maclean Clephane (1791–1830), later Compton, in the ownership of the Marquess of Northampton at Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire (ref.: GB 2423 vol. 5, 1154–71).

Paragraphing, indenting, underlining, punctuating lines and dashes, and capitalisation are all retained. Note that punctuating lines and dashes, and capitalisation, are often unclear.

Unfoliated – foliations are editorial.

For details of named individuals given in bold (at the first occurrence only), see Personalia. Footnotes refer to other topics.

Letters 1–11: John Gunn to Margaret Clephane

Letter 12: Margaret Clephane to John Gunn

[fol. 1r]

Dear Madam

I had not the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 28th. Janry. before yesterday afternoon when it was delivered to me at Newbattle Abbey by Lady Harriet Ancram. I am really at a loss to point out any effectual mode of prevailing upon Cramer; and I am told that he is very little influenced even by the applications of persons of rank. __You will see by the inclosed that I have made use of very different arguments with him I would fain persuade myself that they will have some weight with him. If Mrs. Clephane should approve of it, perhaps the best way of sending it, would be with a note from Mrs. West, who must know him, confirming in her own way the general purport of my Statement and sealing my letter with any common Seal before it is sent: If the application should be dropt, or any other mode adopted, you may destroy or make any use of my letter to him you please.

On my return to Edinburgh last night, I enquired at Corri's Concert of Young Gattie lately arrived from London about Mrs. Ashe who he said was at present at Bath; that she had removed from Charlotte Street Fitzroy Square, to some place he did not know, but that a [fol. 1v] Note directed to Mr. Ashe at the Opera House, would be sure to come to his hand.

I hope you have not yet applied for an Accompaniment at Birchall's _ Knowing that on every detail of that nature Colonel West would have been your best Counsellor.