33054-007208

7

[marginalia]

50/1276 - 30th Jan'y 1850 ?

Lieut. Irving

Urging application for employment in the Native Police

_____________

16th Jan'y 1851

Sir,

With reference to an Official Application for the Command of a portion of the Native Police Force as also to the answer received to that application, in which you were kind enough to mention that His Excellency would take me into consideration when the augmentation to the Force took place, May I beg to know whether there is any probability of my obtaining any appointment in it.

I have held a commission in H.M. Service and my Family have served their country for

nearly

[bottom left]

The Hon'le

E. D. Thompson [sic],

Col: Sec'y

a century and I have twelve years [sic] experience of the Bench and the Aborigines of this country nine years of which I have lived in disturbed districts - I can obtain a Letter of recommendation from nearly all the Magistrates and Squatters in the Burnett, Darling Downs & Moreton Bay Districts, if necessary, as to my being a fit and proper person for such command.

I beg to offer my apologies for thus troubling you and pray that my straitened circumstances and blighted prospects in this country may

13

plead as my excuse. Since selling out of my Regiment I have invested about £2000 but unfortunately like many others who sold out at the same period I have lost my all though not through any extravagance on my part but from the pressure of the times. - I have estimated myself fortunate in having kept out of the Insolvent Court under these circumstances. May I hope for a favourable answer to my application, as in the event of my seeing no prospect of an appointment I must I fear seek some

menial

situation to keep myself, literally, from starving

I again request you will forgive my thus trespassing upon your kindness and beg to assure you that nothing but my extreme distress Should justify such a breach of Etiquette

I remain

Your Very Obed't

[signed] S.J.C. Irving

Late Lt. 28th Reg't

[diagonal marginalia, from bottom-left corner]

I regret that I am unable to hold out to him any prospect of Employment in the way he Solicits, His Ex'y the Governor having made the appointments of Subaltern Officers to the Native Police on the recommendation of the Commandant.

.................... 30[th]. ........ 51/1613 [?]

[in another hand]

Mr. Irving

10 [?] February

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