LAING, Charles
National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 392
24 Change Alley
Cornhill
11 Sept 1819
My Lord,
My gratitude for the honor you conferred upon my son by having him placed on the civil Establishment of the Mauritius would prevent my giving you the slightest trouble on this or any other occasion; but if my views are at all consistent my proposition may be the means of saving your Lordship & your Lordship's Colonial Department considerable inconvenience at same time it may afford more direct satisfaction to the applicants.
I allude to the intended emigration to the Cape. My mercantile situation has occasioned innumerable enquiries to be made at my office by principals & others wishing to emigrate there and it has occurred to me that to open an office in the city where some kind of official general information could be given would save a great deal of unnecessary trouble to all.
To do this effectually I should feel myself honor'd by receiving such information & instructions from your Lordship as would enable me to speak confidentially & thereby set at rest the minds of many applicants who are now waiting impatiently & perhaps unnecessarily for the result & who might from your Lordship's office be referred to mine. The honor of a reply my Lord would greatly oblige
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant
Charles LAING
PS Permit me to observe that the Bearer hereof is a principal applicant & well deserving the grant he has solicited – his name Charles DALGAIRNS
[note by GOULBURN at foot: Acknowledge receipt of his letter. Thank him for his offer but acquaint him that Lord B does not at present see any necessity for availing himself of his offer. With respect to Mr. D. the usual answer]
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