EONARD, B.H.
11
Rowe's Hotel
No. 33 Coventry Street
Friday 16 July 1819
Sir
Should I prove informal in in [sic] my mode of addressing you I beg that you will not attribute it to any want of proper respect but solely to my being unacquainted with the customary forms of applying to official gentlemen.
By the reports in the public papers I am led to believe that Government have it in contemplation to establish a colony on the coast of Africa near to the cape of good hope. I take then the liberty that you will communicate to me as soon as your convenience will permit and with as much precision as possible the site chosen for the contemplated colony, the conditions on which government will make grants of land and further permit me to say that if it shall be made worth my while by a good grant that I will undertake to colonize it with my countrymen from the North west of Ireland. To my county member Mr E. S. C[ISPRE] I am well known and as I contributed not a little to assist the Earl of Selkirk in 1812 to establish his colony at Red River in British North America I venture to consider and hope I am well-qualified for the undertaking I have in view.
Awaiting your reply I have the honor to be your very [assured] humble servant
B. H. EONARD