deacon brodie
The real story behind Edinburgh's most enduring legend
Crown’s exhibit number 2:
a Letter, in the handwriting of William Brodie
Referred to throughout Deacon Brodie's trial as scrolls, this and one other unsigned letter were found on Brodie at his arrest in Amsterdam. The Crown's prosecution team called in two separate witnesses, John MacLeish and John Laing, to confirm the handwriting belonged to Deacon Brodie. Both men had had interactions with Brodie in his capacity as both a wright and city councilman. MacLeish and Laing said the handwriting belonged to Brodie, but was not in his usual penmanship. The context of the letters leaves no doubt that Brodie was the author. What is unusual in both letters are that neither has a salutation for a specific person and the abbreviations at the letters' end.
Pray write me what is become of Anne Grant, and how is her children disposed of. Cecill is a sensible, clever girl, considering the little opportunity she has had of improving. My dear little Willie will be, if I can judge, a brave and hardy boy.
Jean is her mother's picture, and too young to form any opinion of.
What has become of Jean Watt? She is a devil and a whore. I can form no opinion of Frank or his young brother ; but pray write me how they are disposed of.
If you please, write me what is become of the two unhappy men, Smith, and his wife, and Ainslie. Are they yet? Is their trial come on? and the greater villain John Brown alias Humphry Moore? I shall ever repent keeping such company, and whatever they may alledge, I had no direct concern in any of their depredations, excepting the last fatal one, by which I lost ten pounds in cash ; but I doubt not but all will be laid to my charge, and some that I never heard of.
[The following is written at the foot of the page]
I often went in a retregard. I have been all my life in a reteregard motion.
[What follows is written on the other side.]
Does Mr. Martin stand his bargain? Is any of my late property sold? Who is making out my accounts? Has Robert Smith been useful and active in my affairs? He is double and would need looking after.
Perhaps, in the course of making out and settling my accounts, some questions may occur that I may solve. If there is any such, please write them down, and I will answer them in course. Has any settlement taken place with Mr. Little? I am afraid my affairs will be a laborious task to you ; but I hope all my creditors will be paid, and a reversion. If all my moveables are not yet sold, I beg my clothes and linen, and a set of useful tools may be preserved for me; they are worth more to me than another.
I wrote more fully some time ago to Mr. Walker on this head, and also Mr. Sheriff, the 8th April; but I know not if he received it. Pray let me know if he did, and how he stands affected towards me. Whatever be his sentiments, I shall always esteem him and regard him as my brother, but I shall never write another friend until I hear from you, and have your opinion how they will take it.
Pray, did Captain Dent ever make any discovery who I was when he arrived at Leith.
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