M 264, pp.4 and 17

Possible approx. dates for C 331, Lady Auchinleck's letter: cue, "Monday the 11". In 1749, Mondays 11 Sept, 11 Dec; in 1750, Monday 11 June; in 1751, Mondays 11 Feb, 11 Mar, 11 Nov; 1752, Mondays, 11 May, 11 Dec; 1753, Monday 11 June; 1754, Mondays 11 Feb, 11 Mar, 11 Nov; 1755, Monday 11 Aug; 1756, Monday, 11 Oct.; 1757, Monday 11 Apr; 1758, Mondays, 11 Sept, 11 Dec; 1759, Monday 11 June.

FAP thinks this would be in August, when the Court rose, which was always by the 11th Aug; the Boswells always left Edinburgh for Auchinleck immediately. Lady Auchinleck also says, "your Papa was admitted"; the tops of letters to be seen on the next line fit very well with the words, "ane of the Lords of Justiciary" (Lord Auchinleck was made a Lord of Justiciary, 22 July 1755; he had been made a Lord of Session 15 Feb 1754).

J. Gordon who franked the letter was Sir John Gordon, Bt. of Invergordon (Parl.List II.p.96,121). GEC says he was MP Cromartyshire 30 Dedem. 1742-1747, 1754-61. He succ. to baronetcy 9 June 1742, d. 1783.