Lane, Thomas

To His Excellency the Right Honble
Genl Lord Charles Henry Somerset
Governor and Commander in Chief &c &c &c
The Memorial of Thomas Lane, Labourer, residing at
Grahams Town, belonging to Mr Thomas Wilsons party of Settlers.
Humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitioner came out as a Servant with
Mr William Currie for 3 years, during the time your Petitioner
remained with him was afflicted with the Rheumatism for 11 Months
and quite incapable or rendering him the least Assistance. As soon as
your Petitioner got better, exerted himself on behalf of his Employer to the
utmost of his power and remained with him to the date of the annexed
Certificate. The Reason Mr Currie delivered your Petitioner said Document
was considering him incapable Earning his Livelihood. (Ingratitude)
Your Petitioner has resided in this place ever since date of said
Certificate and finding himself getting much better strived beyond his Nature &
Strength to earn his Maintenance, for a fortnight from this date has been
again afflicted with said Complaint and almost incapable of going out of his
place of residence with Crutches.
Your Petitioner is only 25 years of Age, An Object of pitty, no property
and no friend to render him the lease assistance.
Your Petitioner got Married to a Servant of Mr Curries soon after
being Located, since which her Conduct has proved most Infamous in deserting
me during my Illness and living from that time to the present Period with
a young Man belonging to said Party. At present they are each residing in
this place. _ Fortunately your Petitioner has no Child to look forward to .
Your Petitioner has a peculiar desire of obtaining a pass for England.
Should your Excellency think proper to grant him his request, has not the
means of defraying Expenses to Cape Town relying on your Excellency you will pitty .
his Case and Arrange matters in such way for him to reach his native Country.
Provided your Excellency disapproves of your Petitioners Observations
sincerely trust your Excellency will do the needful for him during his Present
Indisposition, which your Petitioner Imagines he shall never get the better of.
At present your Petitioner resides with an Inhabitant of this
Place who favors him with Board and Lodging untill Your Excellency thinks
proper to Commiserate his Case, therefore your Petitioner Humbly hops your
Excellency will be pleased to answer his Memorial and for which if granted
your Petitioner as in duty bound will every Pray.
The Sign or Mark of
Thomas Lane
Grahams Town
March 1823