Entrance Hall (Door to Ghost Room may be seen in upper left hand
corner)]
Of all the new material which has been found since 1910 none is
so important or so interesting as the following letter from Major
Duncan Campbell of Inverawe:
Albany, 14th March, 1758.
Dear Sir,
I received your letter from Inveraw of the 25th November and
the first from you since we parted, tho I have been informed by
letters that come to hand, of your writing formerly. The State
you sent me of my affairs is not very agreeable nor encouraging
for me to make a retreat that I had in view, and in a little
time I believe might be in my power but I am not disappointed;
and notwithstanding I shall do all in my power to assist you. I
am sorry that no other scheme of living can be accomplished upon
the fund, than the one fixed on; to me it gives uneasiness of
minde, tho I’m sensible the consequence may be worse if it is
not followed, and therefore bear it with concern. I don’t choose
to mention my reasons or enter upon particulars as letters from
this part of the world to yours are lyable to inspection and many
accidents. I see a separation must be that will expose them to
the disrespect and ridicule of many; coud they live together in
the way proposed it might prevent much of that but I can’t hope
or expect it from what I know.
As to my advice or directions with regard to any plan you, and my
other freinds, to whom I fear I have given much trouble and to
whom in any event I shall rekon myself oblig’d there is no sort
of use for them, you are best judges, and as I am well satisfied
that everything will be don and ordered for the best, I shall
be as satisfied with any consequence. I am glade you think of
raising nurseries and planting, I sent from this Country to be
forwarded by Mr. Gatty from Belfast two Barrels of the different
kindes of Timber tree seeds &c. but I doubt they will be too
late excepting the Pines which seed will do when two year old.
Your letter came a few days ago by an advice Ship of War,
which superceeded My Lord Loudoun in the Command and General
Abercrombie appointed in his place, with many other changes
and promotions in our Military affairs in this Continent, how
far they may change our Luck I shall not pretend to judge, but
we have need of some sort of medicine for that end. We have a
prospect of a very warm and vigorous campaign, and I hope it
will be successful. Our Regiment is appointed for the Lewisburgh
Expedition, but as we are so far up in the Country where the
Generall is to have his department and opperations it is yet
uncertain but he may keep us with him; we are all in very good
health and compleat for service.
I cannot yet know what remittance I can make for this year,
some I will and shall, sometime before we take the field or the
midle of May. To prevent a relaps of my last years companion I
travelled to the Southard during the severity of the winter to N.
York and Philadelfia &c. which have had the desyrd effect and I’m
now as chois as ever, but it will not enlarge the remittance.
I have had no letter from Sandy Campbell since Aprile last,
Nor from Jesie since July, I received one from Mr. Richardson
with yours which I shall answer by next Pacquett and tell him
so with my compliments. Lykways please tell Peter Campbell that
his letter came at the same time, and that as Adam Fisher is
here I had are opportunity of enquiring about his son who is at
present out as master, not Capt. of a Privateer there was no such
prizes or Fortoune as Peter believed what may be now I know not
but there is no great prospect of it. This is the only letter I
write by the first Pacquett, so that you may communicate it to my
friends as a proof of my being well and youll in the same course
make my compliments to them all.
I’m sorry that Captain Campbell should make objections to the
payment of his Bill; he brought me 3 * * * for which I cleared
him all his charge and gav * * * at that time 20 guineas over for
his own trouble * * * expense this he knows and will appear by
my * * * which you can see; * * * this indeed I thought suitable
any expense he coud incur in Mull and that it * * * my power to
give him or not the raising of an * * * rather than have any
difference about it let h * * * what I had allowed me by the
Regiment which was £3 per man for the first two years and two
guineas for the remaining years that at a medium or the full as
you please but I hope he’ll allow interest upon what Ballance
may be due by him upon such an amot from the time it fell due
April 46 when he went to the Regt.
I am,
My dear Sir,
Your affect, humble servant.
Dun. Campbell.