Bowker, Miles

Manor House S\o/, Newton Wilton //
July 13 1819 //

Honourable Sir // /
Finding by a paper handed to me yesterday by the Rev\d/ W\m/ //
Boscawen that it is the intention of His Majestys Government to countenance //
Emigration to the Cape 7+ being for some time past determined with my family //
to take that step, I have to beg you will do me the favor to inform what //
encouragement can be given to a large family qualified by every practical //
opperation to promote the improvement of land and the welfare of such an establi=shment // 7+ the time when the first opportunity will be given to proceed to the Colony //
By constant application 7+ industry in large concerns I have twice in my //
life been worth fourteen thousand pounds or upwards 7+ twice by neces+sary political //arrangements had that sum nearly annihilated, presently upon a large farm //
here where I can make a living, but cannot provide for a family of eight sons 7+ //
one daughter without reducing /them\ to the lowest ranks in Society, which ill accords // with the previous knowledge of being desended from the [first]. We are unanimous //
in this resolution 7+ though it is not our intention immediately to leave this // situation yet we intend so to divide the family that whilst the one part is //
here drawing the busnes+s to such a conclusion as will enable us to settle our //
concerns properly in this Country, the other part are ready to proceed in taking //
such Steps as are found fittest to make an attempt to provide for the //
Whole in a distant settlement //
>>
As we consider ourselves so far respected by evry clas+s of our Neibors as to //
be able to take out with us any number of able Husbandmen that we could //
think could be well employed 7+ with which our Parish is at this time sadly //
over burthend, and as it is my Wish to keep a considerable Merino flock //
which I have been long accustomd to which busnes+s particularly the as+sorting 7+ scouring //
the Wool I have brought to a great perfection in the Spanish manner, I hope //
that a grant of one Thousand Acres will not be considerd too much for //
such an Undertaking, as this is even considerably les+s than I have been accustomd //
to occupy for Many Years _ /
Originally largely concernd in Wholesale Merchantile 7+ Manufacturing //
Ingagements 7+ well accustomed to general busnes+s first in Northumberland, I //
Would be proud to lend my as+sistance in any way to promote the General views //
of His Majestys Ministers in this concern 7+ if needed I could promptly satisfy them //
of my ability 7+ fitnes+s for such employment. I have the Honour to be Honourable //
Sir //
Your obedient 7+ very hbl Servent //
[Miles Bowker] //