Lincoln Avenue
London
25 October 1882
Sir,
I take this liberty to send you a pamphlet
on colonisation to upper Canada written by
a relation of mine. If his Majesty's Government
think for to endeavour to relieve the country
by a well regulated plan somewhat comfortable
with the principles he has sketched, he will
offer to [barter] an active share in the
management of it.
I trouble you with this letter more readily
because at the close of the last session of
parliament I heard Mr. Peel make a declaration
in the House of Commons with respect to the
various parties of the people of Ireland
to emigrate which was surprising to me and
contrary to all my impressions on the subject.
If his remark were correct, circumstance would
not be surprising in so much as few previous
plans appear to have hitherto received the
sanction of the government and insomuch as
it is well known that grevious disappointments
have happened in the execution of well intended
but injudicious plans. But it is remarkable
that in disregard of all the disadvantages
now obstructing emigration, the people do actually
go to the New World in great numbers. I have a
New Brunswick Newspaper of August last containing
an account of the distress to which extremely
poor Irish families have this year been exposed
and of the proceedings of a society formed in
that colony to relieve them.
If there is a doubt on this point the way and
propriety of removing or of confirming it are
obvious ; undoubtedly colonisation cannot prosper
unless the people are willing emigrants. With respect
to ports [Berk?] and [Supex?], with which I have
accurate aquaintance, I am convinced after careful
enquiry that under proper circumstances there will
be little difficulty to find some volunteers
and if the Government shall consider it prudent
to carry into office their supposed intentions
my relation will give to them his earnest
co operation either in England or in Ireland.
He is a naval officer, and well known in the
flourishing Irish and other townships in Upper
Canada.
I am
To you my faithful servant
S. Bannister
In good faith
Henry Gortham
Acknowledge receipt
Thanks for [ ]
2597 25 October 1822
S. Bannister
Sec. to Emigration
