FERGUSSON, Sir Adam. 18104

£100

Description

Autograph Letter Signed, to Robert Moore of Blairston, Ayr, agreeing to the settlement of Fergusson’s account with him, discussing the forestry expenses in detail. 2 pages, 9 x 7 inches, fine, with the integral address leaf, also signed, with Fergusson’s seal in red wax. Kilkerran, 31 October 1783. “The first volume of Bocaccio I have also got; and have no doubt you will take care of the second.” Sir Adam Fergusson, 3rd Baronet of Kilkerran (1733-1813), Scottish advocate and politician, M.P. for Ayrshire. Dr Samuel Johnson described him as “a vile Whig” but his friend James Boswell was less condemning, saying “few people were but mixed character, like a candle: half wax, half tallow- but Sir Adam Fergusson was all wax, with a pure taper, whom you may light and set upon any lady’s table”. Robert Burns who knew Fergusson through his Ayr connections, called him “the oath-detesting, chaste, Kilkerran”. Boswell described him as “his excellent friend”.