Copy of Letter to Sir Charles Bunbury Bt.
19th February 1793
Copy
19 February 1793
From – Blackheath,
To –
Sir Charles Bunbury Bt.
Sir,
Your letter of the 22nd September, upon your return from Cheshire allowing me to communicate to the Chandellor of the Exchequer my sentiments respecting a plan for the employing a part or the whole of the Convicts in the Mines at Keswick in Cumberland, authorised me to propose that measure as one object to be adopted to counteract a system of Monopoly in the Article of Copper,which prevails with singular oppression and detriment to the Manufacturers of this County, and which circumstance I fear cannot effectually be remedied without the interference of the executive powers of Government.
You have been pleased to express a coincidence in opinion that some of the Convicts might be usefully employed in the Mines which I pointed out, not doubting but that you are convinced of the necessity of amending the present expensive mode of disposing of them, you will of course bring forward your intended Bill this Session, as soon as the more urgent business of the House abates.
I can assure you Sir that you cannot render your Country a more essential Service at this juncture, than, instituting a Committee by Motion in the House to investigate the propriety how well the proposition I have made will have advantage to merit the design and powers of your Bill to the procuring such alteration in the disposal of the Convicts.
From such an enquiry the true means and inferences will be fairly weighed and deliberated upon, which to judge of, the whole of its effect must be considered together, and not in interested and detached parts.
The Principles of your Bill will be the more laudable and perfect, by the many proofs which may be brought to support the good intention and necessity ofit, as the explanations with indubitable clearness may be disclosed to the mutual support of each other, and for the general benefit to community.
I know you are not governed by hasty opinions, and that a few minutes patient thought will perfectly reconcile you to this fixed certainty and which you require no hint to be prepared to meet. “That there are few propositions made in which plausible arguments founded on personal consideration may be urged against, or can there be scarcely an undertaking adopted that is beneficial to the Public, but some persons may conceive themselves prejudiced by it, and will in consequence interest themselves against the enterprize, nor need I further observe that opposition is the attendant fate of most Bills of this description which come before Parliament.
Permit me to offer my pittance in contribution to your Zeal, with every information in my power, and also to assure you I shall be happy if your endeavours should produce a more solid establishment by a proper applied labor, in opposition to that which is fatally allotted to the offence of infamy.
I am, Sir, with truth and esteem, Your most Obedient Humble Servant,
Thomas English
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5 July 1793
My son’s wife Amelia Marsh died in her way home from Bristol hot wells, who left him five children, the youngest of which named Sarah also died the August following and they were both buried in my vault at Gillingham, the child was buried the 5th Sept and Mrs Marsh the 12th July.
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note
Gillingham 12 July 1793
Buried Mrs Amelia Marsh –
Accustomed Fees to the Minister – £2.12.0
Clerk – £1.12.0
Stamps – £0.0.3
Affidavit – £0.0.6
(total) – £4.4.9
Received the Contents Dan Bendsted, Clark.