Hayhurst, Richard

Grahams Town 30. Augt 1824
May it please your Excellency
To permit me to lay before you a statement
relative to the present state of my affairs, Your Memorielist
brought to this Country Five hundred Pounds Sterling
but which from unforseen losses and other
misfortunes such as Servants wages expence of living
&c &c has now dwindled away almost to nothing
and being obliged to drive my own Waggon for a living
First year I cultivated eight Acres of Land at a very great
expense it being covered with Thorn Trees, sowed it
with wheat the Crops of which looked promising but
Alass all those pleasing prospects and every day seemed
to rye with the rust for destruction till the whole
was consumed as by an invisible cause. I lost two Cows
and upwards of some hundred sheep and goats by distemper
Second year I cultivated about twenty Acres and am sorry
to say tho the crops looked very promising and forwarding
for Harvest yet the same cause as hertofore
brought all to destruction my Garden swept away
with the Flood my House much damaged lost
three of my best Cows and the Bullocks by Deaths
likewise four Mares and one horse foal a year old and
one Mare foal when bring them down the Country
Third year only eight Acres in cultivation the crops of which
shared the same fate lost eight of my Bullocks from Mr
Coopers place taken along with his by the Kaffers
Fourth year had eight Acres in cultivation consisting of Barby
Indian Corn and Potatoes &c all of which was destroyed
by the Floods whole land swept away my House much
damaged the Garden Fruit Trees Vegetables &c &c all
washed down the Current lost eleven Bullocks two
of which were destroyed by wild Dogs or Wolves at mid
day, three by death the rest cannot say wether taken
by Kaffers or strayed away

Your Memorielist humbly prayeth you to take the
circumstances into consideration and should you feel
disirous to befriend him he most humbly prayeth you
will favour him with the loan of one thousand Dollars
at Interest and which if granted it is his intention
to lay it out in breeding Cattle waiting your answer
I am your Excellencys most obedient
And humble Servent
Richard Hayhurst