Henry Gortham, London to S. Bannister [?]
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 EmigrationClose