Part of the draft of Byron’s answer to these two letters is in existence, and runs as follows: 

“Albany, April 16th, 1814.

“Sir,—­All offence is out of the question.  My principal regret is that it is not in my power to be of service.  My own plans are very unsettled, and at present, from a variety of circumstances, embarrassed, and, even were it otherwise, I should be both to offer anything like dependence to one, who, from education and acquirements, must doubly feel sensible of such a situation, however I might be disposed to render it tolerable.

“As an adviser I am rather qualified to point out what should be avoided than what may be pursued, for my own life has been but a series of imprudences and conflicts of all descriptions.  From these I have only acquired experience; if repentance were added, perhaps it might be all the better, since I do not find the former of much avail without it.”

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