Colling, Thomas

My Lord,
On reading in the public Prints
that it was in the contemplation of Government
to send out settlers to the Cape, and being
informed from Mr Vansittart that all
application on the subject, should be made
to your office, I take the liberty to offer
my self to your Lordships notice, I have
for some time felt an inclination to reside
in some British Settlement, not because
I am disaffected to the Government, and
therefore wish to emigrate, quite the reverse,
I was born of Loyal Parents, and am myself
Loyal from principle, but I have a large
and rising family of Industrious and
persevering habits, and mechanical genius,
one of which is bringing up as a civil engineer,
and others to different useful employments,
my self 48 years of age, my present wife 36
and Eleven Children from 26 to one year,
six of whome I should take with me, my
employment has been principally as a Builder
and Timber Dealer, of which I possess a

competent knowledge, also of Surveying in
its different branches, and Mercantile
concerns generally, and not altogether ignorant
ignorant of the Police of my Country,
and the laws by which we are happily
governed, I have some little property, and
can procure satisfactory recommendations
from very respectable Persons, for any
confidence you may be pleased to repose
in me, I will also pledge myself that
whatever talents I possess, and any knoledge
I may have acquired, most chearfully to
employ them for the good of others and
the prosperity of my Country
permit me to subscribe my self
your Lordships most Obedient
humble servant
Thomas Colling
166 Wapping
July 17. 1819
To the Right Honourable
Earl Bathurst