This is a transcript of the text of the letter:

Dumfries [ ] th 1804



Madam,

Mrs. Scot was so good as call on me the other day and informd me of your kind inquiry after my famaly and that you wished to kno what was become of Mr. Burns children We still live in the same house that you left us in and William Nichol is the only child I have at hom, Robert is at Glasgow College and has been two winters, he was one in Edin, it is reported and I believe with truth /that he will be provided for in London by Mr Addingtone through the interest of Mr Shaw the prisent Sherriff of London Francom Wallice died last year he was to have gon to the East Indies this spring had he lived, Mr Shaw had got a cadets place for him James Glencarn is in the Bluecot Schooll in newgate street he was also put there by Mr Shaw it is about 16 months since James McClure tooke him to London he called with James on you at Mr Banks but you was in the country he left his name and where James was to be found but they had not told you, William is not settled yet he is still at Schooll I return you my sincere thanks for your good-wishiss to my famaly and belive me madam your

obliged and sencere wellwisher

Jean Burns

PS

Maxwell died 2 years and 9 months

after Mr Burns

JB