I.
[To the Right Hon. Henry Dundas (Viscount Melville).]
Right Honble. Sir
You are no doubt acquainted with my misfortunes. Extracts of the proceedings against me are sent to London by my friends to endeavour to procure a Remission or an Alteration
Facsimile of Deacon Brodie’s Letter to the Duchess of Buccleuch. (From the original in Dr. David Laing’s collection of MSS. in the Edinburgh University Library.)
of my Sentence. But 1 believe little respect is paid to such Aplications unless supported by respectable Personages. With which view I now most humbly Beseech your interposition and interest in support of this aplication making at London in my behalf and if possible prevent me from suffering an Ignominious Death to the disgrace of my numerous conections, even if it were to end my days at Bottony Bay.
I have wrote more fully upon this subject to His Grace the Duke of Buccleugh.
As the time appointed for my Disolution aproaches fast, I most earnestly intreat no time may be lost in writing to London in my behalf.
I now most humbly Beg that you will pardon this Presumption in one of the most unfortunate of the Human Race and whatever may be the result of this Aplication, I shall ever pray for your welfare and hapiness.
I am with the greatest respect Right Honble Sir
Your most obdt and huble Sert
but most unfortunate
Will: Brodie.
Edinr Tolbooth
10th Sepr 1788