[48] Wood's Peerage. Swift's Letters, p. 475. See note.
[49] Mackay's Characters, p. 94.
[50] Swift added, in his own hand, to this eulogium, this remark: "He was little better than a conceited talker in company."
[51] The following letter shows that the Duke anticipated the result of the duel.
London, Nov. 14, 1712.
My dear Son,
I have been doing all I could to recover your mother's right to her estate, which I hope shall be yours. I command you to be dutiful towards her, as I hope she will be just and kind to you; and I recommend it particularly to you, if ever you enjoy the estate of Hamilton, and what may, I hope, justly belong to you, (considering how long I have lived with a small competence, which has made me run in debt,) I hope God will put it into your head to do justice to my honour, and pay my just debts. There will be enough to satisfy all, and give your brothers and sisters such provisions as the state of your condition and their quality in Scotland will admit of.
I pray God preserve you, and the family in your person. My humble duty to my mother, and my blessing to your sisters. If it please God I live, you shall find me share with you what I do possess, and ever prove your affectionate and kind father, whilst
Hamilton.
I again upon my blessing charge you, that you let the world see you do your part in satisfying my just debts.