he liberty of enclosing a letter to my
brother, which I leave open for perusal, and at the same time
request your pardon for mentioning you to him in such terms as
I am apprehensive will wound the delicacy which ever
accompanies generosity like yours; but indeed, my dearest
Madam, I cannot, must not, suffer my beloved boy to remain in
ignorance of that worth and excellence which has prompted you
to become his kind protectress.

'I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of gratitude,
&c., &c, &c,

'NESSY HEYWOOD.'

Among the numerous friends that interested themselves in the fate of
this unhappy youth, was his uncle, Colonel Holwell. The testimony he
bears to his excellent character is corroborated by all who knew him
while a boy at home. About a fortnight before the trial he writes to him
thus:--

'_21st August_, 1792.

'MY VERY DEAR PETER,--I have this day received yours of the
18th, and am happy to find by its contents that,
notwithstanding your long and cruel confinement, you still
preserve your health, and write in good spirits. Preserve it,
my dear boy, awful as the approaching period must be, even to
the most innocent, but from which all who know you have not a
doubt of your rising as immaculate as a new-born infant. I
have known you from your cradle, and have often marked with
pleasure and surprise the many assiduous instances (far beyond
your years) you have given of filial duty and paternal
affection to the best of parents, and to brothers and sisters
who doated on you. Your education has been the best; and from
these considerations alone, without the very clear evidence of
your own testimony, I would as soon believe the Archbishop of
Canterbury would set fire to the city of London as suppose you
could, directly or indirectly, join in such a d----d absurd
piece of business. Truly sorry am I that my state of health
will not permit me to go down to Portsmouth to give this
testimony publicly before that respectable tribunal where your
country's laws have justly ordained you must appear; but
consider this as the _touchstone_, my dear boy, by which your
worth must be known. Six years in the navy myself, and
twenty-eight years a soldier, I flatter myself my judgement
will not prove erroneous. That Power, my dear Peter, of whose