February 16, 1788

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Offers additional updates on the medical condition of their friends who were the victims of a fire (see GLC02546.35). Seal partially intact.

GLC02549.40

6 April 1773

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Offers his brother encouragement in spite of an unspecified "disagreeable situation."

GLC02549.01

12 May 1773

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Describes a discussion he had about his brother (the recipient) settling down, the need for assistance from "friends," and the good chances of his success.

GLC02549.02

1774

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Thanks his brother for a gift. Discusses paying part of a debt. Writing about his mother, he states: "My Mother generally speaks her mind too freely, tho she commonly means well."

GLC02549.03

5 April 1777

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Complains about his profession as a doctor and compares it to being a "galley slave." Describes a man abroad named William Roberts as unambitious. Mentions, and discounts, the prospect of war in India and comments on related political and military matters, discussing a man named Mr. Erskine and the "Directors & Proprietors" of the East India Company. A Mr. Floger is mentioned in connection to a position in "the Government of Bombay." Discusses the disagreement between Lord Pigot, the governor and commander-in-chief of Madras, and his council (concerning the restoration of the Rajah of…

GLC02549.04

19 May 1778

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their correspondence, James's last visit, which lacked in amusements because of David's "disagreeable employment," and his son. Notes receiving a letter from William Robertson in Madras, India, and discusses the death of Lord Pigot in captivity in 1777 and the trial of those responsible for his arrest.

GLC02549.06

14 October 1778

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Manuscript document

Title: [Unattached address leaf of a letter from David Dundas to his brother Ralph Dundas]

GLC02549.07

29 July 1779

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Indicates that he was sorry to hear about his brother's "disagreables" and offers a travelling metaphor for the difficulties of life. Regrets that they have not seen each other recently.

GLC02549.08

18 December 1779

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Describes a trip to Portsmouth. Also discusses visiting the House of Commons, where he heard a debate in which Charles Fox and Lord North spoke. North closed his speech by hoping "that the Eyes of Europe would soon be opened, & see the necessity of supporting that Ballance of power in defence of which G. Britain has spilt so much blood & spent so much treasure." Fox criticised the "Ministry & their measures - & such a torrent of oratory I had no conception of..." Notes that the evening laid the "foundation of Mr Adams Duel."

GLC02549.09

January 24, 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses his wife Isabella, whose "proper sense of Religion joined to a firm mind" has helped her adjust to "her misfortunes." Comments on the suffering of their mother, which James had informed him of, and asks James to give their father his best wishes.

GLC02549.10

8 June 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas

Offers a detailed description of the Gordon Riots. Describes the mobs' activities, including the release of prisoners, lighting of fires, extortion, and assaults on members of Parliament and known Catholics. Admits his suspicion that the French "are at the bottom of it." Mentions that "There are 10 or 12000 Soldiers now in London." Docket reads: "Brother David with an account of the proceedings of the Mob at London," referring to the Gordon Riots.

GLC02549.11

4 May 1792

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Thanks James for his support and care of William Dundas (David's son) and offers the same courtesy to James's oldest son. Explains that their brother George will be leaving week because he obtained a position on a naval vessel. On the difficulty of obtaining such a post, he comments: "the influence which is necessary to be kept up in the House of Commons swallows up every thing & without a claim to that return, it is almost impossible to procure any appointment." Comments on the down side of the post.

GLC02549.53

24 April 1783

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Comments on their correspondence, his hopes that James will soon visit, and their father. Discusses what he considers to be the self-destructive plans of their brother George, who intends to quit his job, marry, and live off his joint stocks. Likens George's courtship to "an affair of honour."

GLC02549.56

18 December 1779

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Discusses a journey Agnes will be making to Edinburgh. Discusses the hardships of starting a business. Responds to James's "observations on the prevailing Luxury of the times." Discusses the difficulties finding employment for those without influence, commenting that "perhaps never was the Influence of the Crown carried to so great an Extent." Comments on quarrels among friends.

GLC02549.58

December 11, 1780

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Discusses his wife Isabella's bathing in the sea for health reasons, describing the Russian practice. Notes that James became corpulent and compares him to "Sir. J: Falstaff." Gives news of various old friends, including one currently in India. Notes that J. Gardiner got a position in the Custom House, looking "after the East India Warehouses."

GLC02549.59

October 14, 1778

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

He writes to transmit "Political News" about the American Revolution he received from George Germain. Relays an account that the Americans under Nathanael Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette landed 18,000 troops in Rhode Island. Describes a near naval engagement with Lord Howe that was prevented by a hurricane, which damaged the ships. General George Clinton then reinforced Rhode Island with 4,000 men. Comments on the movements of Howe and status of other naval vessels. Judges that "upon the whole the news are rather good & to our advantage. & if ever Justice held the ballance in…

GLC02549.60

24 July 1779

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Writes news of friends. Explains that a Mr. Gardiner is settling debts with creditors and far from "succeeding in his applications to Ld. Sandwich." Comments of the difficulties of finding work. Describes a cold reception from their brother Ralph, who was angry at David for not informing him of his plans to marry. Comments on their subsequent interactions, including with a Mr. Robertson, and the fact that Ralph has not visited Richmond.

GLC02549.61

6 December 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses a short visit from their brother George who was in good health but had to return to his ship after one day. Also mentions another brother named Ralph, whose "fate you have learnt four days ago" (Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, was captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown, see GLC03676.05). Notes that "no official accounts from Cornwallis" had arrived. Claims that the French did not expect this victory, citing as evidence "a Merchant who signed a Contract w. the Fermiers Generaux 6 weeks ago for...half a Million of Tobacco annually. upon the presumption that the Southern…

GLC02549.19

8 January 1781

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Notes that he has not informed their mother and father about their brother Ralph, captain of the Bonetta, who had been captured by the French at the Battle of Yorktown (see GLC03676.05). Discusses a possibly scandal involving Ralph and his effort to clear his name. Comments on investigating information in a newspaper article (and getting it retracted) and asking one of George Germain's clerks for information, who told him that they had received a complaint about Ralph and were investigating. He also wrote Commodore Symmond who expressed sympathy with David's effort, but could not help…

GLC02549.20

January 26, 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Writes at length about his feelings, memories, gratitude, and regret regarding their recently deceased mother.

GLC02549.21

19 April 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses their brother Ralph's difficulty getting an advancement in the Navy and his plans to move. On events in America, he writes: "When a General abides the consequence of a Storm, He should resolve either to beat off his Enemies or die in the attempt. but when the success is desperate, it is more prudent to treat in time. had that been done when the News of Ld. Cornwallis's defeat arrived, He would have been in a different Situation now." Also notes the unlikelihood of peace with the Dutch. Gives a message for their father.

GLC02549.22

22 July 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Writes in detail about his father's arrival and their activities. Indicates that "We are in hourly expectation of hearing something of Importance from Lord Howe." Explains that six ships have been sent to Howe to make a fleet of thirty and discusses related naval matters. Comments on their brother Ralph's difficulty getting a naval post. Comments on correspondence (and the lack of it) from their brother George and James Robertson. Notes that he can give no news of politics because it is difficulty to come by, quipping that "Self Interest is the secret spring to modern patriotism." Asks…

GLC02549.23

21 September 1782

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Indicates that their father has left and discusses his visit and health. Comments on their brother George and related matrimonial issues. Discusses their brother Ralph's problems finding a naval position, noting that "I am afraid He has no chance of being employed." Seal intact.

GLC02549.24

January 16, 1783

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Discusses correspondence and family matters. Explains that their brother George is planning to go to the West Indies. Discusses their brother Ralph's difficulty getting naval work, especially because of the prospect of peace. Comments on a visit from Charles Dundas, whom he had not seen in nine years.

GLC02549.26

29 April 1783

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas [fragment]

Laments their brother George's plan to marry an American woman and move there forever. It will also force him to work outside the navy, for want of subsistence for a family. There are some contemporary notes on the address leaf.

GLC02549.27