SHENSTONE, J.B.
835
244 Shoreditch
August 10th 1819
My Lord,
I hope you’l excuse the liberty I take in troubling you but I have been informed that it is the wish of Government to form an extensive colony at the Cape of Good Hope and that proposals are made to give money and land and a free passage to such persons who are disposed to settle there. I have not my Lord seen such proposals, but have been told a salery is also offered to such dissenting ministers as are disposed to go over. I have been a regular ordained minister of the gospel & a member of the general body of dissenting ministers for near twenty years, though I continue to carry on business and reside in the house in which I first drew my breath; and with respect to character I can procure your Lordship ample and satisfactory testimonials. I have long had a desire to go abroad but have not like the idea of puting myself from under the protection of the british government or of ceasing to seek the {?]less air of my native country. I am by no means a bigott or of a high party or sectarian spirit. I esteem good men of every denomination and can cordially receive to my communion conscientious persons who differ from me. I love my country, am zealously attached to & [revere?] the person of my King and if your Lordship thinks I may be able to serve either by going to the Cape and filling any civil station in connexion with a steady & prudent preaching of the gospel or that I can in any other way further the views of government and should your Lordship see fit to indulge me with your patronage, you may I trust regard me as a confidential person and find me ready on all occasions to [obscured] of my ability to carry your commands into effect.
As my family know not of my writing to your Lordship and it is desirable that nothing [be said] about my leaving England until something more secure be [affected?] will thank you to direct an [answer] to JBS at the Post Office, Hoxton, Shoreditch
I am my Lord
Your Lordship’s ob’t sv’t
J.B. SHENSTONE