To Sylvester Douglas, from Aberdeen Thanks for letter [MS 30/2/237] Concerned that he had no further news of Mercer and his family. Sorry Beattie is not able to advise him in the affair he mentions. Though he has been several times in the press, he has never had much dealing with booksellers. His small experience has taught him that few of them wish to seek that an author grow rich under their influence. The person Beattie most wishes to treat with is Mr Strachan of is judge and encourager of merit. Beattie would be happy to write to him about Douglas's manuscript, but might be better if his friend Mr Skinner were to talk to him. Advises Douglas against making a conditional bargain, but if he does so, Beattie suggests let it be only partially so, that is Douglas to receive a sum immediately and afterwards divide the profits with the bookseller. But best to sell the manuscript for a sum of money. Of dealing with Mr Robinson and Dilly. 14 August 1775