DEER (or DYER), John re James ERITH
Admiralty Office 14 Aug 1819
Being acquainted with some of the [??]sions of Mr. James Thomas ERITH the writer [of] the accompanying Petition, I beg leave to [acqu]aint you that I understand him to be a [man]of good character and integrity and in possession [of] about £1000. It is right however to observe [it is] some time since he applied for permission to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope which was [??]d, and it is supposed in consequence of …..representation made by a person of the name of BEALE that the latter was unable to proceed to the Cape with certain other [persons] in consequence of Mr. ERITH having refused to abide by an engagement to accompany [him] but it appears that after the negotiation BEALE was entered into, the latter was [discovered?].to be a Prisoner in the King’s Bench f[or debt] & as he was anxious to obtain from ERITH [the] deposits required from him and the persons who were to accompany him, he considered that he was in danger of losing his money [and] therefore declined any further communication with him. Under these circumstances hope that the prayer of the Petitioner will be complied with.
I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient and humble servant
J.W.DEER
[transcriber’s note: the name is given as DEER in Nash, but the signature looks more like DYER]