Elgin (Thomas Bruce, seventh Earl, diplomat and army officer, 1766-1841) Autograph Letter signed to "My Dear Townshend", 4pp., sm. 4to, Broomhall, 12th July 1788, making it plain that the letter is not an official one and requesting a favour, "The business is respecting an Hospital at Dunfermline (called St. Leonards) where a few widows are supported", a recent court decision had disclaimed the right of the Marquis of Tweedale to nominate widows. It was the thought the right lay with the Crown and Elgin asks for it to be conferred on him, stressing that there was no pecuniary advantage to himself, folds, browned.

⁂ Probably John Thomas Townshend (1764-1831), MP.