Thomas Scott had been since about 1802 Manager of the Estates for Lord Abercorn with Sir Walter as security for the regular payment of his rents. According to a letter in 1807 to Anne Seward, Scott relates that the 'consequence of my brother's failure was that the whole affairs of these extensive Estates were thrown upon my hands in a state of unutterable confusion' and goes on to say he was so 'absolutely worried to death that I had neither head nor heart to think of anything else' and further, 'my grand poem Marmion has been entirely stopped even when half finished and Dryden [whose collected works he was editing] has crept on very slowly'. He however was thankful that his father had caused him to learn Attorney business which he used effectively in clearing up the problems without any monetary loss. Sir Walter's connections with family and friends was also very beneficial as his brother was able to procure employment as an officer in the Manx Fencibles and Paymaster of the 70th Foot although there were always problems financial and otherwise that kept recurring. Sir Walter's friendship with Lord Abercorn although shaken survived this troubled time. In a letter to Lady Abercorn in October 1808 in proposing to dedicate his then completed Marmion to Lord Abercorn he 'was only deterred by hearing him express his general dislike to dedications which I thought might be a little hint to my conduct.' The first letter from Sir Walter Scott appears to be the earliest surviving correspondance with his brother Thomas. Both are unpublished.