William's plans to
follow the Continental cause wherever it might lead. As surgeon in the
army, he served throughout the Revolutionary War.

Following the custom, the elder William Ramsay placed his second son in
trade with the firm of Jennifer & Hooe in Dumfries. From Alexandria, on
December 5, 1774, he sent young Dennis, then a lad of eighteen years,
the following letter brimming with sound parental advice and Scottish
business acumen:

Dear Dennis

Tho' you have been but a short time from us, I cannot help informing
you that we are all well--But as a Parent, I must say more but I hope
you are so well grounded in the principals I would inculcate, that it
need only put you in mind of the duties we owe to the supreme Being &
our fellow Men--your first duty my dear Son, is to your God, do not
by any means neglect your duty in paying your adorations &
supplications to him for a blessing on your endeavors, & your
gratefull acknowledgements for every benefit and money you receive,
which you & I every day experience--Your next duty is to your
Parents, who, I hope you will pay that respect to, you always have
done, & continue to listen to their advice with proper attention,
because you must be assured, it flows from the parental and
affectionate regard they have for you and your welfare here &
hereafter. Your next duty is to your fellow Men, more especialy to
your employer, his interest demands your justice, your diligence and
utmost attention to his business and interest, your secrets & his
relating to your affairs you must religiously keep, mind his business
only, do not intermedle with that of other peoples, and avoid
entering into any dispute with them: you may gain much observation &
society, but nothing by disputetation. Let your intimates be few and
those well chosen, for the formation of youth depends on the
companions they chuse, therefore in this be very cautious. I will not
say any more to you on this head but hope that you will conduct
yourself as hitherto you have done & shun even the Appearance of
evil. When y^o lodge by yourself be cautious in securing your Windows
and doors, and if you cou'd, as probably you may, get some agreeable
young fellow to sleep with you if not always, very often; he wou'd be
company to you, and made your time less lonesome, but your own
prudence will suggest to you these things better than I