Dear M^rs. Dickenson,

      My Daughter had the pleasure of your letter
a few days ago, & she desires me to aʃsure you that she is sensible
of your goodneʃs to her & wou'd not have deferr'd writing
to you had I not informed her that I proposed myself that
pleasure immediately to thank you & M^r. Dickenson for your
very great attention & kindneʃs to us by your invitation of
my Son to paʃs some time with you at Taxal, by which I
find he is very happy, & I believe he proposes setting out
the end of the present week. I shou'd think myself unworthy
the constant attachment & friendship I have experienced from
▼
you & M^r. Dickenson^[1] were I silent upon the character of
your Cousin, which is to me at this moment a subject of the
utmost distreʃs. You have reason to know the date of his
Commiʃsion in the 10^th. light Dragoons, since it was mark'd
by an instance of generosity of a Friend of yours that I can
never forget. My Son join'd the Reg^t. the beginning of last
February twelve month & has been constantly with it till

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within these three weeks, when he obtain'd leave of absence. I have
had the mortification to receive constant complaints of him, for
conduct unbecoming an Officer, by keeping low company, ne=
gligence of his duty, contracting debts, withdrawing himself
from the society of his Brother Officers, under the pretence that it
was to avoid drinking, & upon all occasions having a dirty
slovenly appearance. Under these circumstances it is no wonder
that he is disliked & despised by almost every Officer in the Reg^t.
& had it not been from the particular friendship of General Pitt &
the Lieutenant Colonel's to M^r. Rob^t. Greville, he wou'd long since have
been desir'd to withdraw from the Reg^t. Having by an uncommon
quick succeʃsion attain'd the Rank of eldest Cornet, he might
in a few weeks have succeeded by purchase to a Lieutenancy,
which I have not only been obliged to decline but to take
him out of the Reg^t voluntarily, apprehending that I might
soon be obliged to do it by neceʃsity, as upon examination I found
the complaints too well founded with respect to his conduct in
the Reg^t. Tho' I allow'd him two Hundred Pounds a year in addition
to his pay, & sent him to the Reg^t. well provided in every respect
& without debt, he now leaves the Army without reputation
& much in debt, to save his credit as much as poʃsible I have
agreed to pay his Debts, a list of which he gave me upon honor

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as being the whole amount of them, but he is now as he has ever
been a stranger to truth & honor for I am daily making discoveries
of engagements he has enter'd into for very large Sums for things un=
neceʃsary & which it wou'd be impoʃsible for him to discharge for ins=
tance, I made a discovery yesterday that he had bespoke a watch for
which he was to pay £70.0.0 A few days ago I discover'd that he had
given promiʃsory Drafts payable in a few months for one hundred
& five Guineas for a Phaeton, in which he proposed making his
appearance at Taxal; the Horses wou'd have been an other great
expence, however I have had the addreʃs to persuade the man to
keep his Phaeton which is not worth more than £25. &  ------ 
the Drafts which are now in my poʃseʃsion. Judge of the painfu[l]
state of my mind in the recollection of having a Son so totally
devoid of truth honesty & common sense, what can be done
with such a subject? He is very desirous that I shou'd permit
him to go to Germany after his visit at Taxal, I think I shall not
agree to it as I have not the smallest confidence in him. As for
having him in my house with such principles, what cou'd
be expected but continual discord? Palombi has commu=
nicated to me his expected happineʃs; if Miʃs D. resembles her
B^r. in any respect O Derbyshire! supply the rest yourself Remem=
ber me most affectionately to M^r D. & believe me your Affect. Uncle
                                                         Frederick Hamilton
July 12^th. 1791
      N^o. 19. Orchard S^t. Portman Sq^r.

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      Since my writing the within complaints of R^t. I have been informed
that he had countermanded the order for the watch before his final
disclosure to me of the whole amount of his debts, so that in that
single Article only there is room for some little extenuation.
      none of the particulars shou'd be mention'd to him, it only lead^[2] him to falsify
I must insist my Dear M^rs. Dickenson, if you shou'd find him in
the least troublesome that you will give me a hint & he shall be withdrawn
immediately & the secret kept. I wou'd not let him come with either Servant or horse

▼

      ^P.S. Pray acquaint M^r. Dickenson that as soon as Roberts
Succeʃsor lodges the money for the Cornetcy I shall be ready to
discharge my Debt to him with the Interest that will be due in
October; this is but just on my part as I have avail'd myself
so much of M^r. D.'s kindneʃs.

my  --- ^- husband.

M^rs. Dickenson
      Taxal Chapel le Frith
                             Derbyshire<sup>[3]

[4]</sup>