Letter from Harriet de Salis to Hamilton. De Salis has followed her example in her choice of paper for her letter but cannot follow her example in all things and is unable to be 'as entertaining and agreeable' as hers. She light-heartedly continues that she should have thanked Hamilton sooner for her letter she had sent but as she sleeps so late here that by the time that she has had her breakfast and read the paper aloud to her husband she barely has time to write before the post goes. De Salis continues on Hastings and on her wish that Hamilton were able to visit her there.
De Salis writes of her sister Dolly (see HAM/1/8/2) and of a Mrs James. It is unclear as to what issue is being referred to although it concerns a visit and a marriage. She has 'volumes to read and write on this fatal subject and it has caused me a great deal of uneasiness, at one time it really made me very ill. I have taken all the pains I could to...[understand]... business...[and that there] is a great deal of bad blood made between those...[where there] should be harmony'. She continues that Mrs James had lived with her for 12 years and that she 'is not such a fool' to see that she had some failings but she also had 'many merits'. De Salis writes of 'proofs against her' are required and that God will 'Judge, how sincerely I love her'.
The letter continues with general news, politics, the King and Prince George. De Sails considers the present administration to be a 'joke'''' and that the breach between the King and the Prince is irreparable.
The letter ends with general news of friends.
Dated at Hastings.