Revised Jun 6 2021

No. 78. Lieut. Spranger to Dr. Scott — enclosing the Above — [Letter No. 77]

Edgar — Portsmouth Sep^r. 21^st. 1792

Dear Sir —

The enclosed will I trust sufficiently apologize for my troubling you with a Letter, – the melancholy Contents of which to those whom it so nearly interests are only to be alleviated by the kind & lenient Assistance of Benevolence & Friendship — The Fate Sir of the unfortunate young Man who is the Subject of this Epistle you are no Doubt apprized of; — it remains only for me therefore to acquaint you of the Manly Fortitude & resignation with which he bears his sufferings, & to beg you will use your best Endeavours to assuage the Grief & allay the Fears of his much to be pitied Family, by assuring them that we have every reasonable Ground to hope that the strong manner in which he is recommended to Mercy will not be fruitless — The poor young Man, as you will see by the Accompanying, has not written to his Mother or Sisters since sentence was pronounced — he leaves it my dear Sir to your Discretion & entreats me to undertake the painful Task of communicating the most distressing of all Events to a Family whom I am thus innocently & unwillingly overwhelming with Sorrow & Concern, in return for the Civilities I have recieved & the many pleasant Hours they have afforded me! — But surely in Cases like this tho' the Office is distressing, the Neglect of it wou'd be worse, & doubtless it will be some Consolation to reflect that their ill-fated Brother is neither abandoned by his Friends when most he needs them, nor considered (as I assure you he is not) in the least undeserving of their Assistance; not only by the Liberal and Candid but, (if such there were) by the most rigid Censurer. — I shall no longer trespass on your Patience but by requesting you will use your utmost Exertions in calming the Anxiety of his Mother & amiable Sisters. — I have only to add that I saw our poor Friend Yesterday, he is in good Health & behaves as I before said to the satisfaction & Admiration of every body — I shall soon see him again & the utmost in my Power shall be done for him by dear Sir

your most obliged

  hbl^e servant

    J: L: Spranger.