Dear Sir

The Plan &c came safely.¹ I imagine myself amply supplied with materials for Dumferline many thanks for all favors past & promised. Before the box is packed up pray ask Doctor Ramsay for certain shells &c. I do not care two pence ab^t any cardinals Bastard.² I rejoice to hear of the new works especially Lord Hails. Be so good as to forward the inclosed. M^r Macintyre will be at y^r Gen. assembly.

y^r most obedt

T.P.

Downing. May 5^th 1775.

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Editorial notes

1. In his previous letter, Pennant requested a small plan of the Forth and Clyde canal, then under construction. Available plans included John Smeaton's A General Map of the Country betwixt the Forth & Clyde extracted from a map of Sterling Shire &c by William Edgar 1745, shewing the Course of the intended canals. Engraved by Andrew Bell, 1764.
2. Probably a reference to Cardinal David Beaton: see Paton's letter to Pennant on 4^th April 1775.