Revised Jun 6 2021

No. 87. Miss N. Heywood to Mrs. Heywood.

London – Great Russel Street
Noon — 5^th Oct. 1792

My dear Mama

At length I am arrived at my destined Place of residence for some Days at least — but — with a deep Sigh! — must add I have not yet seen my lov'd Peter. Mr. Graham has however personally assured me we need entertain no Fears — At six this Morning I reached London — I first dressed — breakfasted, & then sent a Card to Mr. Graham by my Brother James — in an Hour they returned together & I am as much charmed with his Appearance as we before were with his Letters — he has a most prepossessing Countenance, with Eyes in which are very strongly pictur'd the sympathetic Worth & Goodness of his Heart — he wou'd not suffer me to express my Gratitude for Favors which are invaluable, but, when I attempted to do so, told me he was most effectually repaid by my not saying one Word about them. — I felt the Tears ready to start into my Eyes! — My first Enquiry was after my Angel Brother, & I found the Matter not yet settled — "But, Sir may I really be sure it will be settled to our satisfaction"? — "You may indeed Ma'am depend upon it" — was not this charming! Well — after a thousand polite Apologies for being engaged on some particular Business he requested I wou'd step into the Coach with him immediately & make his House my Home — I of course insisted on his suffering me to go alone as his Hour of Appointment was then past, & that I wou'd take the Liberty of introducing myself to Miss Graham, who is the only one of his Family at present in Town. — On my Arrival here I found Miss G— a beautiful Girl about my own size & I think her Age 15 or 16 — she is fair & rather pale than otherwise — fine Features — a most interesting Countenance, with soft speaking hazle Eyes, & a most bewitching Gentleness of Manner — she was at Work — & there was a Piano Forte in the room so that I suppose her musical which to me gives her an additional Charm — On her asking me if I wou'd not like to lay down after my fatigue I preferred writing to you — Now Mama was not that very dutiful considering the Weight which must of Course at this Moment press down my Eyelids?

4 o Clock — Well my dear Mama — I have had a long Conversation with Mr. Graham & to my utmost Satisfaction — he says — "I look upon him"– speaking of Peter" — to be the most amiable young Man that can possibly exist — I do not scruple to say I shou'd not entirely believe you as you may be partial, but I speak from my own Observation — he conducts himself in such a Manner as will reflect the highest & most lasting Honor on himself, & produces the strongest sensations of pleasure & satisfaction to his Friends"—— He assures me that there is not a Doubt existing in the Mind of any Person who has seen the Minutes of the Court-Martial respecting Peter's Innocence — It was Hallet, that vilest of Wretches, who condemned him as well as the other poor Man* who is recommended. —

How kind & benevolent has this worthy Man been! in short I cou'd tell you a thousand things that wou'd give you Pleasure but Dinner waits & I must finish — I shall write Peter tomorrow in such a Way as to keep up all his present serenity of Mind which renders him so admirable! — Adieu my dearest Mama — believe me, I have every reason to desire you will keep up your Spirits — & assure yourself I shall labour unceasingly for my beloved Peter's Sake with my utmost Abilities & Efforts — tell Dr. Scott so with my kindest remembrances — Adieu again my dearest Friends all accept my Love & do not forget

your most faithfully affectionate

    & dutiful Daughter

      Nessy Heywood

[In a different hand:]
* Mr. Morrison, subsequently Gunner of the Blenheim and was lost in that ship —