SPRAGG, Joseph
712
10 Cook Street
East Borough Road
Southwark
July 1819
Sir,
In consequence of the grant lately voted by Parliament for enabling persons to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope to obtain assistance from His Majesty’s Government, I beg leave respectfully to request that assistance in favor of myself, my wife & five children.
We have by the [process?] of unavoidable calamities been reduced to great distress not withstanding the most unremitted & strenuous exertions on our part. My sons are of the ages of eleven, twelve & seventeen, my own profession is that of a schoolmaster in which I have become known to many respectable gentlemen who will bear testimony to my character. Humbly requesting the favor of an answer to this application, I am Sir
Your most obedient humble servant
Joseph SPRAGG
[attached]
710
Lincolns Inn
17 July 1819
Dear Sir,
I have been requested by Mr. SPRAGG, a schoolmaster, to second an application he is making to you to be sent to the Cape of Good Hope in quest of a maintenance.
I therefore take the liberty of saying that I have known him for four years as a man struggling with all his power against misfortune. He has been very unfortunate & I believe is a very deserving man. I have known him chiefly in consequence of having been employed as the almoner of another person’s [obscured] to him. I most sincerely believe that he is a very fit subject for any assistance which the charity of Government may be able to offer.
I am your very faithful servant
Jas. STEPHEN Jun