The American Sharpe

by Gareth Glover

  I have just returned from a short leave of absence of six weeks which I got for the purpose of going to Paris from whence I intended to have gone to Geneva and have returned by the Rhine to Cambrai, but I met so many people I knew in Paris, both English & French, and found it altogether so fascinating that I lingered there, until I was obliged to give up my excursion to Switzerland, which would have required more leave of absence than I had obtained. I have not heard very lately from Aberdeen, but by the last accounts it appeared that my aunt had been a greater deal better lately than she has been for a long time. She has I am glad to find at last determined to leave Aberdeen as it is a climate that is much too severe for her and does not agree with any of her family, but she will be obliged to spend another winter there, which I wished might have been avoided.

  They have been electioneering mad in England all this last summer in consequence of the dissolution of parliament, but we here have interest engaged principally by the approaching congress which is to be held at Aix la Chapelle16 and where our destination for the next winter is to be decided. The general opinion is that we shall evacuate the French territory this autumn and return to England when there will be great reductions in the army, to the account at least of the strength of what comprises the Army of Occupation and they say that one of our battalions will be among the number, but that will not affect me. I hope we shall be sent out of this country at any rate, for we are all very tired of it, at least of this part of it. I almost give up all hope of promotion until there is another war. We have had a great many reviews here as usual this summer, whenever any acquaintance of the Duke’s comes up to head quarters to see him, we are brought out to be shown. Among others who but the American General Harper17 had the honour of a review on purpose for himself, the man we saw at Ballaton. His niece a Miss Caton is married to Colonel Hervey18, the Duke’s first aide de camp & military secretary, he did us the honour to express approbation of our corps. It is reported that previous to the breaking up of the Army of Occupation there is to be a grand review of all the contingents of each nation which will I suppose be the finest thing of the kind ever known & it is also said with what probability I know not, that it is to take place on the field of Waterloo.

  My Uncle Gordon has been all this summer at the Isle of Wight, I heard from Mrs Gordon lately, who says that he is much better for the change of air, but she seems very tired of her abode there. I am very sorry to learn [of] poor Tunno’s death, but it was to be expected, he had been suffering a long time. I hope you will take into consideration the visit to this country we so much wish you could make out. Remember me to all friends with you & believe me my dear father, your dutiful & affectionate son, James Gairdner.

  James wrote home at the end of the year to apprise his father of the fact that the Army of Occupation had ended and that the regiment had returned home. The government had immediately ordered a reduction in army numbers as a part of the peace dividend. James was placed on half pay initially, but was soon reinstated. But as the prospects of promotion, even by purchase, in such a reduced army were minimal, and the inherent boredom of garrison life failed to appeal, causing James to consider going on half pay as preferable.

  To James Gairdner esq, Shady Grove, Columbia County, Augusta, Georgia.19

  Undated, written from Aberdeen

  Marked ‘Sent February 1819’

  My dear father,

  I wrote to you a short time before I left France saying that we were positively to give up the occupation of that country; which we in fact did and returned to England in November. I delayed writing to you because as soon as the army came home a very sweeping reduction took place in which contrary to every idea I had had I found myself included and I asked to be able to see my way a little before I wrote. I exerted myself in every way to get promotion by purchase but without effect. I then came down here [to] stay some time, but a short time ago learnt that by a new arrangement which had been made with regard to the establishment of my regiment I was replaced again upon full pay in my old rank. I confess I felt no very great delight at this as during this time there is so little to be done that I had rather be on half pay, master of my own time to go where I please than be confined to a listless regimental quarter, however it has the advantage of making me eligible for purchase though I do not think I have much chance of effecting that at present, when there is so little [of] going on, and if I could ascertain that there was no hope. I think I could voluntarily go on half pay until military life becomes more active for this state of peace cannot last for ever.

  By your letter of the 7th September from New York you mention that they were to return home in a few days where you expected to arrive about the middle of October. We have been in hopes of hearing from you after your arrival. I hope the rot from which your crop was free at that time, did not make its appearance afterwards. I was much vexed to learn that the letter I wrote after my return from Scotland last year had not come to hand because I hoped it might induce you to cross the Atlantic the next autumn instead of going northward, it could not I should think make much difference in point of time, it would even be less fatiguing, and would give much gratification to my grandmother and aunt. I think too it might be a means of bringing to a close that business of Sampson and Davidson which seems entirely at a stand-still and I really do not know what can be done on it. Mr Gibbon is still in Ireland and I see no prospect of his return, his wife is about to go over to him. I wish my dear father you would think of this and accomplish this if possible. My aunt has decided on removing from this place to Edinburgh in the spring and has been in treaty for a house occupied at present by a friend of hers.

  I have applied since I was replaced on full pay for leave of absence and hope to get it prolonged so as to enable me to be with my aunt and family until they get established in their new abode. I think their plan of removing a very wise one, as Gordon who is really very nice boy, could not stay with any profit much longer at the college here and there is nothing in Aberdeen which renders it desirable for the rest of the family to remain here. By removing to Edinburgh they will be nearer our relations in Roxburgh and Berwickshire, who are very much attached to the family. I passed a few days at Wooden and Corsbie on my way here from the south, my grandmother and all the rest of them were very well. They have heard from Rebecca [Walker] since her arrival at her new destination, she was well and happy. I was sorry to learn by your letter that old Dr. Barron was so ill, Mrs Moodie heard lately from my uncle who wrote in very low spirits on the doctor’s account, he was not expected at that time to outlive the day.

  James Moodie has been placed by Mr Kinnear, his guardian, in a counting house in Glasgow, to the distress of his mother, who has a very bad opinion of the place. She has decided I believe, upon removing thither, how far this may be of advantage to her son is I think very problematical. I was very glad to learn, that you had left little Robert at school in the state of New York, I think provided there was anybody there you had confidence in who would take the trouble of looking after him, it would be very advantageous to leave him altogether. How is Edwin coming on in his planting? I should think he should be old and skilful enough now for you to trust your overseer under his eye for any time longer than usual you might wish to be away, especially as he could apply to Mr James Gardiner in case he were himself at a loss. How are all that family, is Henry Gardiner still at New York?

  I was sorry to hear of poor Mrs Turner’s death, but it was to be expected. Mr Mitchell was I understand in England last summer but in very bad health, I do not think he will hold out long. Mr Harvey is I believe doing very well, his son is at St John’s Newfoundland, his daughter has now two children. When I go to London I shall try and ascertain whether I have any chance of getting promotion, if not I should not be losing time to get placed on half pay and it would be much more agreeable, as soon as I can form any idea concerning it, I will let you know. My uncle is very anxious to serve me but he allows himself to be put off with any answer by these people.
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  I do not know whether you will perceive any difference in my hand writing, but I have taken three lessons lately from a man who professes to make a good hand out of a bad one20. On that number I think I have improved my hand a little, at least I write with more freedom and I think it will improve yet. My aunt will write in a few days, she is well, as all here unite in affectionate love with my dear father, your affectionate, dutiful son, J P Gairdner.

  The problems of transatlantic correspondence are highlighted here. Two months after James wrote home to inform of his reinstatement to full pay, his father was still writing about his prospects on half pay, but also worryingly that the funds for purchasing a captaincy and his allowance from his father were now under threat because of poor harvests.

  To Lieutenant J.P. Gairdner21 care of David Hutcheon22 Esq, Advocate, Aberdeen

  Shady Grove, 16th March 1819

  My dear James,

  I wrote to you 4th January23, since then have not had the pleasure of hearing from you, but have from Mr Harvey, informing that you was on the reduced list and that you had been trying to purchase a company without effect at the date of his last 11th December. I am much disappointed at the state of funds in his hands, but I suppose you had received more than he advised of, which was only £300. If the purchase has not been made there will not be funds to pay the allowance to your aunt & self unless the business is settled with Simpson and Davison. I mentioned this in my last & it is on that account you wrote.

  We have now very unpleasant weather, colder than January, so much so that I am afraid to put corn in the ground for fear of its rotting. The two last years not half crops & this has a bad beginning, but live in hope it will have a good ending. Remember me to all friends. I remain your most affectionate father, James Gairdner.

  Chapter 17

  Demob

  With few prospects of promotion or active employment, James finally decided to retire from the army on half pay on 1 July 1819 and he went to Scotland for the winter before he planned to do the European tour in the summer.

  To James Gairdner Esq, Shady Grove, Augusta, Georgia1

  Edinburgh, 19th October 1819

  My dear father,

  I wrote to you about a month ago from Wooden2, I had hoped before this to have heard I had from you, which I am still looking for. I returned here shortly after, where I propose staying all the winter, and intend to pay attention to some of the winter philosophical classes of the college here and my present intention is to go abroad next summer. I think Edinburgh undoubtedly agrees better with my aunt and her family than Aberdeen did. Herself and Laura3 are considerably better and though Jane has been confined with a complaint in her leg, that being a constitutional attack would have been the case wherever she might have been, her health is in other respects good and she is mending fast. I am sorry I cannot give so good an account of my grandmother, she was when I left Wooden confined to her bed with a violent inflammation in her leg which gave her great pain, she is I understand, a little better since I came away, but at her time of life such attacks are very enfeebling. Mrs Hood, who has been safely delivered of a daughter is expected home very shortly.

  The Murrays with whom I spent some time, are all well, Andrew the eldest one has decided on practising law as an advocate, Gabriel is in a country house at Leith, and John is at home, he had decided on becoming a farmer but has got tired of it and talks now about going out to India. He says the sameness and want of variety disgusts him, and I do not wonder that at Corsbie he finds it so, for my uncle literally graces nobody, they are without neighbours and he has somehow got into solitary habits and does not seek society, this for a very young man must be irksome and indeed I think farming is a bad profession to begin with, if a boy immediately on finishing his education sets down to farm without seeing anything of the world, his mind must become contracted. He does not possess a store of ideas on which he could feast in retirement and fill up with delight and profit that leisure which his profession leaves unoccupied, but to one who has travelled and employed the early part of his life in active avocations it must I think be a delightful profession to a soldier particularly if his passion for his profession is cooled, is in any case there is something so rational and dignified in passing one’s youth in camps and cities amidst men and arms and then retiring to domestic enjoyments, and country occupations.

  You will perceive that I am now stating my own case and I have considered it seriously, I left the army partly and principally from inclination, because it was changed in its desirableness and is now time thrown away partly because I consider it most likely that the service on which it is more likely to be employed that any other (though I do not think any service is likely) would not be expedient for me. I do not regret the step I have taken nor do I think I am likely to do so. But I must do something, I am young and it neither suits my ideas of propriety nor my inclinations to be idle and I am inclined as well by taste and preference, as because it is the most obvious thing, to turn my thoughts to farming, I really think I should like the occupation extremely. I would not be happy in any profession however lucrative that entirely occupied the time, because I am fond of reading & now farming leaves a great deal of leisure and is at the same time a pleasing occupation. But I believe I have before mentioned that I have long had a passion for a tour in Italy.

  I could not sit down satisfied without accomplishing it, which I shall commence next year if nothing occurs to prevent me. If I do undertake the farming plan the most obvious place to settle, would be in the neighbourhood of my relations in Roxburghshire, for besides the advantage of their advice on a career new to me, it is so much more respectable as well as agreeable settling in a place where one has connexions than where one is an entire stranger and probably considered as an intruder. If my plan succeeds so far I may possibly find what I can never be truly happy without, a wife. I have thus given you an account of what I have been thinking seriously about for some time, part because I wish to have your opinion about it, as it cannot consistent with my other views be put into execution, yet awful, it is no use to consider details.

  There is nothing of general interest in this country now except the increasing licentiousness of that detestable set who style themselves radical reformers, but who in fact as far as their powers of doing evil enable them are promoting revolution. God knows in what it will all end but something decisive must be done, I think one way or the other before things will subside into a peaceable train.

  I mentioned in my last letter what enquiries I had made when in London concerning the suit with Simpson and Davison, that the lawyers think they can do nothing without Mr Gibbon, that I had written to him repeatedly. I have not yet heard a word from him nor do I now expect it. I cannot tell what is to be done, nor can I think of anything so effectual as your presence. I am ready to do anything that you wish. James Moodie mentions in a letter I had the other day that Mr Harvey’s son is on his way to Charleston, I do not know what is his object. Perhaps you may see him, he is a fine young man. Mr Moodie has followed his son to Liverpool which will not I think do him any good, but I am glad for my aunt’s sake that she has left this, for really she is so tormenting to all those about her that I do not think it good for my aunt’s health that they should be in the same place. My aunt desires me to mention that she wrote to you in the beginning of September and will write again soon. All here unite with her in love to you. I heard not long ago from my Aunt Gordon, they have been staying all the summer at Tunbridge Wells, but she does not think she is better, I do not think she ever will be. I have just heard that my grandmother is a great deal better. Let me hear from you soon and believe me my dear father your most affectionate son James P Gairdner.

  James wrote to his father again, just before embarking on his European tour. He was worried at the political upheaval with demands for reforms and where it might all end.

  To James Gairdner Esq, Shady Grove, Augusta,4 Georgia.

  London 31st July 1820

  My dear fath
er,

  I wrote to you shortly before I left Edinburgh for Roxburghshire where I went to pay a short visit before coming south. I brought Jane with me who has come to stay with my Uncle Gordon, poor thing she has had a tedious tantalising illness for the last twelve months which however I hope change of air and of medical advice will get the better of. Indeed I think my aunt and Laura as well as herself require a milder climate and I am glad to find that my aunt thinks of moving to England after next winter when Gordon’s education will be completed as far at least as Edinburgh can do it. His uncle wishes him then to pass a year in France for the purpose of making himself master of the language &c which plan I think is a very good one. What my uncle has then in view for him I cannot tell, nor do I suppose he himself knows exactly. My aunt is about to proceed in a day or two on a visit to Wooden. I left them all well in Roxburghshire though my Uncle Walker has been very ill since I left it with severe bilious attack, of which however Robert says he is much the better now that he has got over it. My grandmother has got wonderfully well over a severe attack of encephalus5 which alarmed them very much and is now looking as well as I recollect ever to have seen her. There is a young man of the name of Walker, a relation (cousin) of my uncles, who was staying there at the time and who I gave a letter of introduction to you. He is about to proceed to the southern states for the purpose of planting, if he finds it likely to succeed, for it seems that just now nothing is to be done in the farming way in this country, entirely owing to the unnatural state to which the rents of land rose during the war, and which the land holders are not inclined to lower. Things cannot always continue in that state I should think, if they become settled on a fairer footing I should think I might do something in that way, however at present it would be a bad business.