Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 5 January 1793
Dumfries 5th January 1793
Sir,
I am this moment honoured with your letter: with
what feelings I received this other instance of your goodness,
I shall ^not pretend to describe. -
Now, to the charges which Malice & Misrepresentation have
brought against me. -
It has been said, it seems, that I not only belong to, but
heard head a disaffected party in this place. - I know of
no party in this place, either Republican of Reform,
except an old party of Borough-Reform: with which I
never had anything to do. - Individuals, both Republican
& Reform, we have though not many of either; but if
they have associated it is more than I have the least
knowledge of & if there exists such an association, it
must consist of such obscure, nameless beings, as
precludes any possibility of my being known to them,
or they to me. -
I was in the playhouse one night, when Ca'ira was
called
Sir,
I am this moment honoured with your letter: with
what feelings I received this other instance of your goodness,
I shall ^not pretend to describe. -
Now, to the charges which Malice & Misrepresentation have
brought against me. -
It has been said, it seems, that I not only belong to, but
heard head a disaffected party in this place. - I know of
no party in this place, either Republican of Reform,
except an old party of Borough-Reform: with which I
never had anything to do. - Individuals, both Republican
& Reform, we have though not many of either; but if
they have associated it is more than I have the least
knowledge of & if there exists such an association, it
must consist of such obscure, nameless beings, as
precludes any possibility of my being known to them,
or they to me. -
I was in the playhouse one night, when Ca'ira was
called
called for. - I was in the middle of the pit, & from the
pit the clamour arose. - One or two individuals with
whom I occasionally associate were of the party, but I
neither knew of the Plot, not joined in the Plot; nor
ever opened my lips to hiss, or huzza, that, or any
other Political tune whatever. - I looked on myself as
too obscure a man to have any weight in quelling a
Riot; at the same time as a character of higher respectability
than to yell in the howling’s of a rabble. - This was
the conduct of all the first Characters in this place;
& these Characters know, & will avow, that such was
my conduct. -
I never uttered any invectives against the king. - His
private worth, it is altogether impossible that such a
man as I, can appreciate; and in his Public capacity,
I always revered, & ever will, with the soundest
loyalty revere, the Monarch of Great Britain, as, to
speak in Masonic, the sacred Key Stone of Our
Royal Arch Constitution.-
As to Reform Principles, I look upon the
British Constitution, as settles at the Revolution
to be the most glorious Constitution on earth,
pit the clamour arose. - One or two individuals with
whom I occasionally associate were of the party, but I
neither knew of the Plot, not joined in the Plot; nor
ever opened my lips to hiss, or huzza, that, or any
other Political tune whatever. - I looked on myself as
too obscure a man to have any weight in quelling a
Riot; at the same time as a character of higher respectability
than to yell in the howling’s of a rabble. - This was
the conduct of all the first Characters in this place;
& these Characters know, & will avow, that such was
my conduct. -
I never uttered any invectives against the king. - His
private worth, it is altogether impossible that such a
man as I, can appreciate; and in his Public capacity,
I always revered, & ever will, with the soundest
loyalty revere, the Monarch of Great Britain, as, to
speak in Masonic, the sacred Key Stone of Our
Royal Arch Constitution.-
As to Reform Principles, I look upon the
British Constitution, as settles at the Revolution
to be the most glorious Constitution on earth,
or that perhaps the wit of man can frame; at
the same time, I think, & you know what High and
distinguished Characters have for some time thought
so, that we have a good deal deviated from the original
principles of that Constitution; particularly, that
an alarming system of Corruption has pervaded
the connection between the Executive Power and
the House of Commons. - This is the Truth,
the whole truth, of my Reform opinions;
opinions, which, before I was aware of the completion
of these innovating times, I too unguardedly
(now I see it) sported with : but henceforth, I seal
up my lips. - However, I never dictated to, corresponded
with, or had the least connection with, any political
association whatever - except, that when the Magistrates
& principal inhabitants of this town, met
to declare their attachment to the Constitution, &
their abhorrence of Riot, which declaration you
would see in the Papers, I, as I thought my duty
as a Subject at large, & a Citizen in particular, called
upon me, subscribed the same declaratory Creed. -
the same time, I think, & you know what High and
distinguished Characters have for some time thought
so, that we have a good deal deviated from the original
principles of that Constitution; particularly, that
an alarming system of Corruption has pervaded
the connection between the Executive Power and
the House of Commons. - This is the Truth,
the whole truth, of my Reform opinions;
opinions, which, before I was aware of the completion
of these innovating times, I too unguardedly
(now I see it) sported with : but henceforth, I seal
up my lips. - However, I never dictated to, corresponded
with, or had the least connection with, any political
association whatever - except, that when the Magistrates
& principal inhabitants of this town, met
to declare their attachment to the Constitution, &
their abhorrence of Riot, which declaration you
would see in the Papers, I, as I thought my duty
as a Subject at large, & a Citizen in particular, called
upon me, subscribed the same declaratory Creed. -
Of Johnston, the publisher of the Edinburgh Gazetteer, I
know nothing. - One evening in company with
four of five friends, we met with his prospectus
which we thought manly & independent; & I wrote
to him, ordering his paper for us.- If you think
that I act improperly in allowing his Paper to come
addressed to me, I shall immediately countermand it.-
I never, so judge me, God! wrote a line of prose for
the Gazetteer in my life. - An occasional address,
spoken by Miss Fontenelle on her benefit-night
here, which I called, the Rights of Woman, I sent
to the Gazetteer; as also, some extempore stanzas
on the Commemoration of Thomson: both
these I will subjoin for your perusal. You will
see that they have nothing whatever to do with
Politics.- At the time when I sent Johnston one
of these poems, but which one, I do not remember,
I enclosed, at the request of my warm & worthy
friend, Rob.t Riddell Esq: of Glenriddel, a prose
Essay, signed Cato, written by him, & addressed
to the delegated for the County Reform, of which
know nothing. - One evening in company with
four of five friends, we met with his prospectus
which we thought manly & independent; & I wrote
to him, ordering his paper for us.- If you think
that I act improperly in allowing his Paper to come
addressed to me, I shall immediately countermand it.-
I never, so judge me, God! wrote a line of prose for
the Gazetteer in my life. - An occasional address,
spoken by Miss Fontenelle on her benefit-night
here, which I called, the Rights of Woman, I sent
to the Gazetteer; as also, some extempore stanzas
on the Commemoration of Thomson: both
these I will subjoin for your perusal. You will
see that they have nothing whatever to do with
Politics.- At the time when I sent Johnston one
of these poems, but which one, I do not remember,
I enclosed, at the request of my warm & worthy
friend, Rob.t Riddell Esq: of Glenriddel, a prose
Essay, signed Cato, written by him, & addressed
to the delegated for the County Reform, of which
he was one for this County.- With the merits, or
demerits, of that Essay I have nothing to do, farther
than transmitting it in the same Frank; which
Frank he has procured me. -
As to France, I was her enthusiastic votary in the
beginning of the business. - When she came to show
her old avidity for conquest, in annexing Savoy &c.
to her dominions, & invading the rights of Holland,
I altered my sentiments. - A tippling Ballad
which I made ^ on the prince of Brunswick's breaking up his camp, & sung one convivial evening, I shall
likewise send you, sealed up, as it is not every body's
reading.- This last is not worth your perusal; but
lest Mrs Fame should, as she has already done, use
& even abuse, her old privilege of lying, you shall
be master of every thing, le pour et le contre, of my
political writings & conduct. -
This, my honoured Patron, is all. - To this statement
I challenge disquisition. - Mistaken Prejudice, or
unguarded Passion, may mislead, & often have
misled me; but when called on to answer for my
mistakes
demerits, of that Essay I have nothing to do, farther
than transmitting it in the same Frank; which
Frank he has procured me. -
As to France, I was her enthusiastic votary in the
beginning of the business. - When she came to show
her old avidity for conquest, in annexing Savoy &c.
to her dominions, & invading the rights of Holland,
I altered my sentiments. - A tippling Ballad
which I made ^ on the prince of Brunswick's breaking up his camp, & sung one convivial evening, I shall
likewise send you, sealed up, as it is not every body's
reading.- This last is not worth your perusal; but
lest Mrs Fame should, as she has already done, use
& even abuse, her old privilege of lying, you shall
be master of every thing, le pour et le contre, of my
political writings & conduct. -
This, my honoured Patron, is all. - To this statement
I challenge disquisition. - Mistaken Prejudice, or
unguarded Passion, may mislead, & often have
misled me; but when called on to answer for my
mistakes
mistakes, though, I will say it, no man can feel keener,
compunction for his errors, yet, I trust, no man can
be more superior to evasion to disguise.-
I shall do myself the honour to thank M.rs Graham
for her goodness, in a separate letter.-
If, Sir, I have been so fortunate as to do away these
misapprehensions of my conduct & character, I shall
with the confidence which you were wont to allow
me, apply to your goodness on every opening in
the way of business, where I think I think I with
propriety ^may offer myself. - An instance that occurs
just now; Mr McFarlane, Supervisor of the Galloway ^District
is & has been for some time, very ill.- I spoke
to Mr Mitchel as to his wishes to forward my
application for the job, but though he expressed &
ever does express every kindness for me, he hesitated,
in hopes that the disease may be of short
continuance.- However, as it seems to be a paralytic
affection, I fear that it may be some time ere
he can take charge of so extended a District.-
There is a great deal of fatigue, & very little
compunction for his errors, yet, I trust, no man can
be more superior to evasion to disguise.-
I shall do myself the honour to thank M.rs Graham
for her goodness, in a separate letter.-
If, Sir, I have been so fortunate as to do away these
misapprehensions of my conduct & character, I shall
with the confidence which you were wont to allow
me, apply to your goodness on every opening in
the way of business, where I think I think I with
propriety ^may offer myself. - An instance that occurs
just now; Mr McFarlane, Supervisor of the Galloway ^District
is & has been for some time, very ill.- I spoke
to Mr Mitchel as to his wishes to forward my
application for the job, but though he expressed &
ever does express every kindness for me, he hesitated,
in hopes that the disease may be of short
continuance.- However, as it seems to be a paralytic
affection, I fear that it may be some time ere
he can take charge of so extended a District.-
There is a great deal of fatigue, & very little
business in the District; two things suitable enough
to my hardy constitution, & inexperience in that
line of life. -
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your ever grateful, as highly obliged humble servant
Robt Burns
to my hardy constitution, & inexperience in that
line of life. -
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
your ever grateful, as highly obliged humble servant
Robt Burns

Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/01/66
- Alt. number
- 3.6098.a-b
- Date
- 5 January 1793
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Graham, Robert
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Letters from and to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from Robert Burns to Robert Graham, 5 January 1793