[From Atholl Papers - AP 36/38(2^nd)-27]

[Letter from John Lewhellin to Duke of Atholl, 11 March 1770]

My Lord

Were it not for your Graces goodness & humanity I should be confounded to approach you, Sir, with this my letter which is humbly to implore your Graces aid and interest to obtain for me the place of comptrowler of the customs in this town now void by the death of the late Fisher Jackson who expired last night. It would, my Lord, along with what I otherwise possess make a handsome & easie provision for my large family, & help to attone for the great loss I sustain'd by the change of affairs here - and it would, my Lord, along with your kindness done me, for ever oblige me, & keep my heart full of the warmest gratitude to your Grace. - I presume that your Graces great weight & consequence in the world cannot fail of succeeding, if you will please to deign to hearken to me, & intercede in my behalf. you will perceive my Lord I am no Roman Chatholick - I do not apply fortutelar intercession I apply myself, at once, when a considderation with your Grace will, I know, be better than a thousand appologies for my freedome:- as your Grace I am persuaded will do me the justice to believe I do not do it out of anoyance or presumption. If it be any objection that I live here - I was born in Bristol & am descended from an ancient race of Brittons (you know my Lord a welchman will even go to Adam & to Eve to find one an ancient pedigree) and am well qualified to serve his Majesty in the capacity I request. - And which I hope I shall find favour in your Graces sight to get me fixd in.

For a long time past I could hardly refrain from taking the freedome to write to your Grace & return your thanks for granting me the common I apply'd for - I am, with all the assiduity I can, carrying on the inclosure, & am now planting a considerable number of Willows where there is no possibility of erecting a stone hedge upon acct of the swampyness of the ground and it will otherwise be impossible for me to make out the boundary in a direct manner according to the plan on acct of the badness of some places & the inconveniency thereof, but it shall be done as near as possible, & laid before your Grace, & what little variation there will be, I believe will be to the advantage of your Grace.- I am likewise preparing to adventure a plantation on each side of the mountain for which end I am already furnished with a pretty large number of ash and fir trees, but I propose planting many other sorts - I purpose makeing two different parks, one haveing already three turf roads thro it, to avoid having any on the other & I purpose calling one of them Mount Athol. & the other some like name that will perpetuate my gratitude & attachment to your Grace & noble family, if I do not presume in so doing. It will give me great pleasure to accomplish the plantation, because thereby, if it thrives, people will perceive the utility of your Graces common as well as the great benefit that will arise from such improvements to this Island. - I have for some time purpos'd doing myself the honour of waiting on your Grace at Dunkeld when I should have the happiness in person of acquainting your Grace with these things, & throwing my self at your Graces feet. - I find I have gone out of the common road of conciseness in addressing so great a superior - but my good Lord you will please to excuse me for it & attribute it to the fountain from which it tra (blot) and after all I have said I cannot conclude without once more begging your Lordships excuse for the freedom I have taken being with the highest & most profound respect

I am My Lord your Graces most oblig'd & most obedt humbl servt

John Lewhellin

Ramsey 11^th March 1770