To the Duchess of Gordon from Peterhead Thanks to the Duchess for her letter. He would have answered imediately by paying respects to her at The Burn but for illness. The Glennies are well and delighted with Duchess' kind mention. Reference to Laing and his attention to the young ladies recommended by the Duchess. Since the death of his sons Beattie has abstained wholly from music, his favourite amusement, because his shattered nerves cannot endure the sound of it. Mr James Fraser whom Beattie asked the Duchess to recommend to Lord Cornwallis and whom she sais she would recommend to Lord Mornington is the son of Mr Fraser of Kirktown. 8 September 1797