ALS, one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, October 21, 1856. Letter to nurse Mary Erskine, in part: "I had the pleasure of receiving your two letters of Sept. 23 & Oct. 10, & the great pain of feeling how little I could do to satisfy your desire (in them expressed) of helping a man to duty, of whose usefulness we are both so much convinced. I mentioned what we both know of him (I principally, of course, upon your authority which is so good) in the quarters where I thought it might be useful. I was told that he he should be remembered when there was anything to give—but that (the usual answer) Yarmouth was to be reduced & the Coast Guard station were all promised. I did not answer your previous letter, merely because I put it off hoping to have something more promising to say. And you will do me great injustice, if you think that it was indifference on my part, which has produced failure, if we fail. I saw dear Mrs. Mackenzie & her husband in Edinburgh. She looked better than he did. Both were as cordial, good & charming as ever." In fine condition.Format: ALS