Colling, Thomas

My Lord, /
On reading in the public Prints //
that it was in the contemplation of Government //
to send out settlers to the Cape, and being //
informed from M\r/ Vansittart that all //
application on the subject, should be made //
to your office, I take the liberty to offer //
my self to your Lordships notice, I have //
for some time felt an inclination to reside //
in some British Settlement, not because //
I am disaffected to the Government, and //
therefore wish to emigrate, quite the reverse, //
I was born of Loyal Parents, and am myself //
Loyal from principle, but I have a large //
and rising family of Industrious and //
persevering habits, and mechanical genius, //
one of which is bringing up as a civil engineer, //
and others to different useful employments, //
my self 48 years of age, my present wife 36 //
and Eleven Children from 26 to one year, //
six of whome I should take with me, my //
employment has been principally as a Builder //
and Timber Dealer, of which I pos+ses+s a //
>>
competent knowledge, also of Surveying in //
its different branches, and Mercantile //
concerns generally, and not altogether {ignorant} //
ignorant of the Police of my Country, //
and the laws by which we are happily //
governed, I have some little property, and //
can procure satisfactory recommendations //
from very respectable Persons, for any //
confidence you may be pleased to repose //
in me, I will also pledge myself that //
whatever talents I pos+ses+s, and any knoledge //
I may have acquired, most chearfully to //
employ [them} for the good of others and //
the prosperity of my Country //
permit me to subscribe my self //
your Lordships most Obedient //
humble servant //
Thomas Colling //
166 Wapping //
July 17\./ 1819 //
To the Right Honourable //
Earl Bathurst //