Dear Sir

Doctor Ramsay continues better desires his best Compliments & sent me back M^r. [...]draught of the picked Dog fish¹ herewith transmitted, [...] to yourself if truely taken as M^r. Low assures me it is [...]uld you not be satisfied with this Sketch please a[...]t me & I will endeavour to secure one from our fishermen here so soon as can be had as these are but rare on this Coast at The present Season of the Year.

This day a worthy friend of Mine the Rev^d M^r. Bryce who laid down the Map of the North Coast of Scotland vis^t. [visits] Caithness &^c writes me that M^r. Pope Min^r. of Reay his intimate friend has been sadly distrest with the Gout this last winter & rendered him unfit for writing thro it's fixing in his right Arm & hand: having a Son whom he is most desirous to be admitted his assistant & Successor as Clergyman of the said Parish, he requests the good offices of his well wishers in this affair; it is a Crown presentation, & possibly might be the more easily obtained as it is in a retired corner of the Country: if it is suitable to your easiest convenience to advise in this matter with your benevolent favour it would afford great satisfaction to the worthy old Gentleman altho' my Influence is mean yet shall do my best to promote the desired effect & shall apply to every one within the circle of my knowledge, who promise to be of Service.

[...] parcel I wrote last ^of off is shipt & will [...]d be conveyed to London, this is to be leaved [...] M^r. Cadel's Bookseller in London & if you have occasion [...] in the Temple before you reach London to [...] call [...] or lay it carefully aside till your approach [...] in case M^r Cadel should omit forwarding it to M^r Burks place of [...]: forgive my attention on this subject, as D^r Ramsay informed me of a manoeuvre about the Roads in Scotland, [...] desirous to know if it is come to hand yet.

I am
D^r Sir
Your most obed^t Serv^t.

GPaton

Custom house Edinburgh
14 March 1778.

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Editorial notes

1. The Picked Dogfish is listed in Pennant's British Zoology, 4 vols.(Warrington: 1776-1777), iii, p.100, but is not accompanied by a plate.