White, Richard

Trumans Court Cornhill London July 28: 1819
My Lord
Its my intentetion if I can be permitted under
the regulations of the present offer of His Majestys Government
to embrace it as a settler in the new colony in the Territory
of the Cape of Good Hope, its not from and disaffection to
the Government of my Country that I wish to take the advantage
of this liberal offer, and I would not emigrate to the
finest country on earth unless it was under the immediate
protection of the British Government and its Laws, but the
vicissitudes of Providence have brought me from affluence
to poverty, and altho I have very respectable connections, and
one son and a son in law both Commission Officers in His
Majestys Naval service yet I have not since my Misfortunes
in life been able to support my family which consists of my
Wife and twelve children, seven of the Youngest now on my
hands. I therefore purpose taking two Children under 14 years
of age with me.
Believe me My Lord that I have strong claims on His
Majestys Government and have had the honor of a Commission
as Lieu. & Paymaster in the Gosport & Alverstoke
Volunteer Infantry consisting of six Companies in which Corps
I served during twelve years of the war, I therefore trust
any appeal and application will meet your Lordships approbation,
and at the same time I should wish to be informed
whether the intended Vessel to convey the settlers will
receive on board such implements of husbandry as may be
necessary for Agriculture &c and when its likely the settlers
will be required to embark, and if it is not pressing to
much on your Lordships indulgence may I ask where
the new colony within the Territory of the Cape is intended
to be formed, and if on a Navigable River and what distance
from the Cape.

I am My Lord
Your Lordships
most obedient & very humble
Richard WHITE

P.S. Please to address me
at Messrs HURRY, POWLER & HURRY
Trumans Court Cornhill
Earl Bathurst
Secretary of State Colonial Department
Downing Street.