to ask for information about the young man.  Before an answer came Scottish relatives learned in 1800 of Jack’s fate and wrote of it to Murray Bay.  A friend of the family in India had noticed in the newspaper that some one was promoted to John Nairne’s place.  This led to enquiry, when it was found that he had died in August, 1799.  Not until six months after his death, and then only in reply to the enquiry as to Jack’s demands for money, did his commanding officer write the following letter to Colonel Nairne: 

     Colonel Dalrymple to Colonel Nairne

     From Columbo [India], 1st Feb., 1800.

I received your letter dated October, 1798, but a short time ago but too late, had there been any occasion to have spoken to your son upon the subject it contained for, Poor fellow, it is with pain I’m to inform you of his death.  He died upon the 7th of August, 1799, in the Coimbalore country upon the return from the capture of Seringapatam.  Never did a young man die more regretted nor never was an officer more beloved by his corps.  He was an honour to his profession.  An involuntary tear starts in my eye on thus being obliged to give you this painful information.

The cause of his having drawn for so much money from Bombay was unfortunately his ship parted from us and they did not join at Columbo for some months, where I understand he had been induced to play by some designing people.  But I assure you, from the moment he joined here, his life was exemplary for all young men.  He was beloved by every description of people.  From the very sudden way he took the field and the very expensive mode of campaigning in this country he was in debt to the paymaster.  He was not singular; they were all in the same predicament.  The first division of the prize money which was one thousand ster.  Pagodas, about your hundred pounds, will only clear him with the Regiment.

Long before this letter arrived the news was known at Murray Bay.  Malcolm Fraser, the tried family friend, writes on September 1st, 1800, that he has just discharged the most painful task of telling the sad news to Jack’s sister and companion, Christine, who was visiting in Quebec.  In his grief Nairne gives an exceeding bitter cry, “Lord, help me.  I shall lose all my children before I go myself.”  His sister Magdalen wrote from Edinburgh on March 17th, 1800, to offer comfort and to hope that he bears the trial “with Christian fortitude, and that God will reward him by sparing those that remain to be a blessing to him,” Nairne’s sisters now had with them in Edinburgh the two remaining children, Tom and Mary, called “Polly.”  John is gone but Tom is left, says the fond aunt, and to console Nairne she tells of Tom’s virtues:  “Never was father blessed with a more promising son than our little Tom, and though I used to dread he was too faultless and too good to live, I would now persuade myself he is intended by Providence to compensate you for the losses you have sustained.”  On Tom now centred the hopes of the Nairne family.