letter from Charlotte Whitfield dd July 22 1835

Dear Sir
I hope and trust, I shall not be deemed importunate in readdressing you so soon again on my affairs, but as it at present impossible for me to return to my Farm. Cattle would be of little use to me but for Sale, and I should wish to preserve them for my children.
I have now an opportunity to settle myself and Family provided I had the means to discharge a few trifling debts which the misfor tunes of the times has compelled me to incur and something to assist me at the present moment for tax now reduced I might say to my last shilling and have neither Rations or relief from the Board nor never had therefore my case is a distressing one to me and five children to provide for. I cannot draw on England again for sometime having sacrificed much property there already for our support, we are therefore likely to starve unless Sir you will kindly interfere and us as far as lays in your  power for which you will ever have the thanks of

Sir
with respect
yours ??

signed ...Charlotte Whitfield
July 22 1835

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To His Excellency the Governer

Your petitioner humbly prayeth that such as shall be judged sufficient recompense for her losses by the Caffer irruption may be paid her as far as can be permitted in moneys as your petitioner having five children too young to gain their own livelyhood and being herself lame makes it impossible for her to persue any very active course of life. Your Excellency may please to remember some few months back your petitioner addressed you concerning the stpage of her rations which your Excellency graciously inquired into, but as she was not considered in a state of destitutionshe has received no rations since the 7 of March cash nor no assistance whatever, she has been obliged to make great sacrifices in drawing Bills on her property in England to obtain a little cash to prevent the starvation of herself and family she is now enabled to provide for them and settle comfortably provided she had the means to discharge some few debts which from the state of these unfortunate times she has been obliged to incur likewise some ready money to begin with which should your Excellency deem her request not an improper one but graciously grant her wishes.
Your petitioner will ever pray

signed
Charlotte Whitfield

July 15 1835