Revised Jun 6 2021

No. 63. Miss N. Heywood to Mr. P. Heywood

Isle of Man – 31st. Aug^st 1792

Your last Letters my best beloved Brother have all come to Hand, & we now entertain the most pleasing Hopes that the happy Moment of your Deliverance is (both from your own Accounts & those in the Papers) not far distant — I have a strong Idea that the Beginning of this Week was the Period fix'd for the Court-martial, & shall wait for our next Letters to inform us of its Conclusion (a happy me I will not for a Moment doubt) with an Anxiety no Words can express. — How much do I thank you my Love for your Delicacy in not informing us the exact Day which impatiently as we wish for it wou'd notwithstanding make us tremble! — I shou'd blush to have made such a request myself, which you might justly have attributed to an unbecoming Weakness of Mind, too timid to hear of that Day in which you with exemplary Firmness & supported by conscious Innocence will support so awful a situation — Oh! my best, my most tender Brother — when shall I embrace & thank you for this Goodness! — perhaps at this Moment you are free — what rapture is in that one Idea! — yet here must we wait till the Middle of next Week at least before we can have a certain Account of anything — let me not however complain — perhaps 'tis better we shou'd not hear till all is over — & I will endeavour to be as content as it is possible to be in a state of Anxiety which nothing but your Innocence wou'd render supportable! — I have not a Doubt of your honorable Acquittal, & of your finding a sufficient support in Mr. Const, to whom, with all due respect to his Abilities & with some Apology for what you will call my Partiality such a Client will in my humble Opinion do no small Credit. — You tell me not to flatter you so much my beloved Peter — how can you accuse me of a Fault which I detest as much as yourself? nor can I as you are well convinced entertain so mean an Opinion of you, as to suppose you cou'd be gratified by it — but let me request my Brother will distinguish from Flattery, the just Praises of a Friend who loves & admires his Worth — I fear not making you vain — Praise such as mine can have no other Effect on a noble & good Mind, than that of making it still more studious to deserve & merit those Encomiums. — I am surprized you are not taller — I fully expected you wou'd have been five Feet ten at least — but that is of no Consequence — I am sure I shall not be disappointed in your Appearance in any respect — Adieu my inestimable Brother — my Mama sends her most tender Love & anxious maternal Wishes for your Liberty & safety, & my Brothers & Sisters desire me to say every thing that is most expressive of boundless Affection. — May that Almighty Providence whose tender Care has hitherto preserved you be still your powerful Protector — may he instill into the Hearts of your Judges every sentiment of Justice, Generosity, & Compassion — May Hope, Innocence, & Integrity, be your firm support — & Liberty, Glory, & Honor your just reward — May all good Angels guard you from even the Appearance of Danger, & may you at length be restored to us the Delight, the Pride of your adoring Friends, & the sole Happiness & Felicity of that fond Heart which animates the Bosom of my dear Peter's

most faithful

  & truly affectionate Sister

    Nessy Heywood