[3] As a student he had lived at No.6, St James's Square in Edinburgh and his near neighbours were George Thomson the music publisher, John Beugo the engraver, Robert Ainslie the lawyer and Alexander Nasmyth the painter, all closely associated with Burns's career.

[5][6] Cunningham courted Anne Stewart of East Craigs, however she married Dr Forrest Dewar in 1788 and the couple had a son and three daughters, having "prostituted her character" as Burns put it.

Dugald Stewart, the eminent Scottish philosopher and mathematician, commented that Burns was keeping 'not very select society' however it was a matter of degree, Cunningham, Peter Hill, Ainslie, etc.

"[8] It was Cunningham who on 10 April 1792 put Burns's name forward to the Royal Company of Archers for a diploma, probably in recognition of his role in capturing the 100-ton schooner, the Rosamund and her cargo of contraband goods, in the Solway Firth on 29 February 1792.

[10] Robert Burns Junior wrote about life at the Mill Street house in Dumfries, recalling the arrival of the occasional barrel of oysters from Peter Hill the book seller or from Cunningham.

As a stone-mason James had carved the bowl himself (22cm x 14cm ) from dark green Inveraray marble and after residing at their various homes, Jean in 1801 presented it to her husband's great friend and Burns family benefactor whilst she was on a visit to Edinburgh and staying with George Thomson.

[16] On 4 May 1789 sent Cunningham a copy of "On Seeing a Wounded Hare limp by me, which a Fellow had just Shot" referring to the incident at Ellisland Farm involving James Thomson that nearly came to blows.

Of the work Burns commented that "You will guess my indignation at the inhuman fellow, who could shoot a hare at this season when they all of them have young ones; & it gave me no little gloomy satisfaction to see the poor injured creature escape him.

"[17] The pro-Jacobite song "There'll Never be Peace Till Jamie Comes Hame" recalls the death of seven sons killed fighting for the Jacobite cause and was sent to Cunningham in 1790 with the comment that "When Political combustion ceases to be the object of Princes and Patriots, it then, you know, becomes the lawful prey of Historians & Poets.

"[18] On 24 January 1789 upon reading of Anne's marriage to Dr Dewar, Burns wrote : "When I saw in my last Newspaper that a surgeon in Edinburgh was married to a certain amiable and accomplished young lady .....

"[2] As stated, on 5 February 1792, Burns wrote to Cunningham asking for his assistance in the case of James Clarke, the Moffat schoolmaster who was threatened with dismissal for his alleged cruelty to pupils in his charge.

Answer, A Minister is an unprincipled fellow, who by the influence of hereditary, or acquired wealth; by superior abilities; or by a lucky conjuncture of circumstances, obtains a principal place in the administration of the affairs of government.

"[23] The song "Here's a Health to Ane I Lo'e Dear" was his last correspondence with his long term friend, written on 10 July[24] together some thoughts on how he could get his full pay from the Excise.

[26] Cunningham, John Syme and James Currie, through his biography, were central in raising the funds needed to build a suitable mausoleum to which Burns's body was moved in September 1815.

[28] Cunningham wrote to John Syme and expressed his sorrow and grave disappointment at the number of Burns's supposed friends and admirers who would not donate to the fund and instead gave him "cold civility and humiliating advice.