Autograph Letter Signed to [the Duchess of Argyll] [Elizabeth Campbell, Duchess of Argyll & 1st Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon], Society beauty etc]

Three pages, 4to, some marking, but text clear and complete. Campbell claims to be in "habits of confidence" with "the Nabob's [Nabob of Arcot]" and is requesting that a high level letter give full "redress for grievances" rather than having a "hackneyed stile". The letter contains references to people and events which demand close knowledge of this period of Indian history, particularly revealing of relations with at least one Indian Ruler. Text as follows: "I understand that Lord North, though much disposed to obey the Dutchess of Argyll Commands cannot take upon him to say that a Letter to the Nabob is to be sent from the King this Season. | The Nabobs Agents . . . now assure me that unless I was the Messenger of a redress of Grievances which he has long complained of, any dispatches in the hackney'd stile would be of little service, as they have lost the pleasure of novelty, and he requires something more solid than empty Compliments and unavailing professions, which is not likely to be complied with at this period - The obliging concern which your Grace has taken to promote our Interest has impressed Mrs Campbell and myself with unfeigned gratitude - A new field in that Country is going to be opened in a very few days from which I think a plentiful crop will arise - Mr William Burke Cousin to the famous Orator of the same name, happened to be at Madras unemployed soon after the restoration of the Rajah or Prince of Tanjore who had been displaced by the Nabob and East India Company - He came home with a Letter from him to his Britannick Majesty and was long soliciting an answer without effect, however within these three months, Lord North through . . . Lady Ailesbury, the Hertfords and others (Mr. Burke having been originally a Secretary to General Conway) has promised him an answer to the Rajah of Tanjore but has put it off from day to day, so that the Letter is not yet delivered - If a higher power could be prevailed on to nominate me the bearer of this dispatch to Tanjore - I apprehend Lord North would not feel mortified that a feather was put in the cap of one protected by a family so attached to him and to Government, rather than to a person who is hostile to both - indeed this consideration leads me to believe that his Lordships promise was general and of that sort which he well knows how to dispense with upon occasions, even without the interference of a higher authority - ...[enlisting her good will and patronage]". Note: a. Perhaps the writer is the "Colonel Donald Campbell [who] had been in the Madras army. 20 Feb. 1772 he had requested permission to take a reward from the Nabob of Arcot." b. See a website (ending NABOB_OF_ARCOTS_PRIVATE_DEBTS) for Edmund Burke's discussion of issues involving the Nabob of Arcot.