31 Oct 1786: Edward James Eliot to Edward, 1st Lord Eliot

My Hon[oure]d Lord

I must trust to your kind Consideration for a Mind, never very strong, and now weaken'd by Calamity; when I beg you to have the goodness to forget the favor relating to my poor Little Girl which in an hour of Happiness and Exultation I took the Liberty to ask of you. I have since then suffer'd a great and God knows grievous reverse of situation, in a Loss which Nothing can compensate for, But for which the Paying Every Respect and attention which Imagination can suggest to Her Memory when I Deplore, is, (Melancholy as it is) much of the Little Consolation I have left: to make to the Nearest and Dearest Friend and Relations of the Deceased, the small and sad Compliment of standing for the Child is one, and one which I think you will not unwillingly allow, to Sorrow and Distress like mine. I ought and should if I had had the Courage to mention any thing, have mention'd this long since. I could not; which, as my Brother has not happen'd to Do it either, I am truly sorry for, Dr. Pretyman who under Heaven Join'd Those whom God (God's will be Done) hath put asunder, performs the Ceremony of the Christening tomorrow.

I am my Hon[oure]d Lord
your very Dutiful
and very affectionate Son

Ed J Eliot

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/3/3/5