BIRCH, J.W.

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 587/588

10 King Street

Lower Street

Islington

Oct 5^th 1819

My Lord,

Having directed a letter to your Lordship on Wednesday 29^th Ultimo respecting the intended Settlement in the Cape of Good Hope – and not having had an answer to it yet – I fear it has not reached your Lordship – I have therefore presumed by the request of particular Friends to lay before Your Lordship the purport of the letter, as the situation of those by whom I am delegated is such as to require as much time as Your Lordship can possibly Allow to Settle their affairs here - that is My Lord presuming that you will find them sufficiently eligible to proceed to the said Cape of Good Hope – the substance of the Letter referred to My Lord is as follows-

My Lord,

I am deputed by 10 or more able bodied Individuals (provided Your Lordship should be pleased to consider us sufficiently capacitated and otherwise eligible), enquire whether it is possible for us to [?be among?] those whom Your Lordship may allow to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope in November next and whether supposing your Lordship to concur in our determination to proceed thither, Your Lordship recognise us as a United Body of Brethren and Friends acting upon a mutual principle of advantage and partnership but under the direction and protection of Me as Representative or General Head – hoping that Your Lordship will be propitious to our application and condescend to reply as soon as Your Lordship shall think fit

I remain My Lord –

With all deference –

Your Lordship's Most Obedient Servant –

J. W. BIRCH – for

F. F. NEWSTEAD