Major Plenderleath to Dougald MacTavish – Edinburgh 

4/1818 

My Dear Sir: 

I have to apologize for not sooner having answered your letter to our friend William McTavish who is at the moment extremely ill in my house and cannot be spoken to up business. 

???/ of his later father and if ever I have an opportunity  of laying them before him and aiding your views I shall be happy to do so, but I repeat that he is at this time very ill and I fear there is little hope of his recovery. 

Mrs. Plenderleath desires me to offer her kind regards to Mrs. McTavish and yourself and to say she was much disappointed not seeing you at Hastings on a visit as your proposed. 

And I am, My Dear Sir

Most sincerely yours,

William Plenderleath.