[Colonel Sir Anthony Coningham Sterling of the Highland Brigade, Scottish soldier and military historian.] First four pages of Autograph Letter to 'Maclean', describing his efforts to obtain a commission for Maclean's 'Young friend'.

4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Evidently incomplete: the first part only of a long letter. Begins: 'My dear Maclean | I have it not in my heart to put forward an excuse for very long silence, beyond an amount of employment the like of which I have never had thrown upon me before, for many years.' He hopes to see him, but leaves that night 'for the North on a tour of inspection'. He describes his movements: 'I go first to Keir near Dumblane [sic] for a couple of days from thence to Fort George where I may be detained by my duties for two days, and from there back to Keir from which point I shall visit the Depôts, and Depôt Battns. within reach.' After discussing possible arrangements for a visit he writes: 'I am ordered to hasten back from the North to inspect the Depot Battns. just formed in England and in Jersey before the Winter is farther advanced'. He 'took Mr. Rolston to the Horse Guards. - I found that no influence or interest could obtain the enrolment of his name on the list of Candidates for a Commission by purchase, he being passed the age of 18 before he made his application. The Gentleman to whom I presented him, is a very old friend of mine. As I told him how much interested I was in behalf of your Young friend he suggested that Mrs. Rolston should apply for a Commission by purchase in a Colonial Corps of which there are 5'. He lists the corps, observing of the West Indies that it is a place 'in which you and I passed so many Years of our life', and 'not always unhealthy'. 'By a sacrifice of a little money an exchange could be effected without much difficulty into a Regt. of the Line'. The final page concludes: 'However your Young friend did not deem it advisable to make application for an appt. to any of these Corps'.