Revised Jun 6 2021

No 72. Miss N. Heywood to Mr. Jas. Heywood

Isle of Man — 29^th 1792

My dearest James.

There is a Vessel going to Liverpool this Instant & I have but a Moment to tell you that I received your's on Thursday Night, – till when, we had heard nothing but by report — The Packet is not yet arrived & our Friends will not let me go from hence till she brings some certain News — We are in an Agony of suspense — & I can scarcely support my Misery, much less keep up my poor Mama's dejected Spirits — if there is the least Apprehension entertained by the People of Liverpool for his Life, or if you think there is the smallest necessity for your going to Portsmouth — go for Heaven's Sake without waiting for me — 'tis true, you being there can do him no essential Service, nor will his Friends have leave any thing undone for him; — but 'tis natural to suppose he must wish to see some of his unhappy Family. — It is however some Comfort that I am able to assure you, that every Person here to whom we have spoken on the subject agrees in Opinion that there is not the smallest Danger — that his being found guilty is not because any thing has been proved against him (for had that been the Case it wou'd have been morally impossible to save him) but because he, poor Fellow was not able to bring Evidence sufficiently strong of his Innocence — that a recommendation from a Court Martial to Mercy is exactly the same as an Acquittal in any other Court: for the Martial Law is so strict & severe that there is no Medium between absolute Acquittal & Death — that there is no Instance in which a Pardon, upon that recommendation has been refused — & that it is ask'd not as a Matter of Favor merely, but as an Act of Justice from the Executive Power, which is the only possible Way of mitigating too severe a Law. — This is the Opinion here; in which I do not find one dissenting Voice except our own — but we have hoped too long, & have too much at stake to be satisfied with Conjecture, however well-founded: — nor can any thing but a Certainty from his own Letters still our violent Apprehensions — This is a calm Day & I hope the Packet will at length make her Appearance — if she brings not a Certainty of his Safety, I shall set off for Liverpool immediately — but if you have a Doubt of that, I again repeat it, do not wait for me; I can go alone — Fear & even Despair, will in that Case support me through the Journey — yet — if I cou'd listen to to [sic] reason (which is at present indeed difficult) it is not likely that any thing has taken Place or will do so, as we shou'd then certainly have had an Express. — but my dear James act as your Affection & Judgement shall dictate, & think only of our poor unfortunate and adored Boy! — Love from all — Adieu — bestow not one thought on me — take Care of our dear Henry — I hope he will not sail before we are free'd from this dreadful Distress! — the Vessel waits —

my dear Brother

  your most affec't. Sister.

    Nessy Heywood

The Packet arrived the same Night (Saturday 29^th) at 12 oClock & Mrs. Heywood received the following Letter —