Willson, Mary Ann

Port Elizabeth
20 August 1820
Sir
I trust your Excellency will pardon me
for the liberty I have taken, but I feel that the Interests
of my dear Children and my personal happiness are so much
Involved in being removed into the Interior with Mr. Willson
that I assure you I could only be Induced to venture upon
coming here, upon the Solemn Assurance that I should not be
obliged to proceed up the Country, but to reside at Cape Town
or any place congenial to my feelings _ or else rturn to my
Friends in England who have pledged their Ample protection
I must therefore entreat and Solicit your Excellency, to order us
back to England or at least to Cape Town for a twelvemonth
for it is impossible that a Wilderness can however beautiful be
useful to Mr. W_. and his family would lose the benefit of his
Talents if buried in the Country _ indeed it will be perfectly
Sacrificing us all _ and after the gross threats and exceeding Ill
treatment and ingratitude which he has endured I am very sure
he is as little disposed to remain here as myself, therefore

I entreat your Excellencys favor to order that we may
return with the first Ship that arrives here _ begging your
pardon for this Intrusion and trusting to your Indulgence
I have the honor to remain
Your Excellencys
Most Obedient humbl Servant
Mary Ann Willson