LAMBDEN, Elijah

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 379

Great Grimsby

Sept 8^th 1819

My Lord,

It is with the greatest concern I make bold to address your Lordship upon an occasion so very distressing to both myself wife & family. I hope your Lordship will have the goodness to excuse the anxiety of parents for the welfare of their son.

My Lord you may recollect your having had an application a week or perhaps 2 back from a young man a native of Great Grimsby in the County of Lincoln whose name is John MACKINDER to go to the Cape of Good Hope he having in the course of last week receiv'd your final answer.

In consequence of which he set out on Sunday last on his journey to London and has inveigled a son of mine to leave his friends & accompany him in the expedition to the no small grief of us all. I would take it as a very great favor if your Lordship would use your utmost endeavour to stop him from taking so rash a step, as he is no way qualified for either such a voyage or such a climate, as he knows nothing of agriculture he being a cordwainer by trade. He is about 5 foot & ½ high, dark complection, very upright, his hair black and short, has a remarkable mole upon the right arm & is rather stout.

I expect this will arrive before my son gets up and your stopping him from such an unfortunate undertaking will greatly relieve myself & Mrs. LAMBDEN from a great deal of distress, as Mrs. L has been very ill and now is in a very weak and infirm state of health at present, and by so doing your Lordship will confer an obligation upon me & mine never to be obliterated. My son's name is Creasey LAMBDEN

I remain my Lord your Lordship's most obed't hbl sev't

Elijah LAMBDEN

Surgeon

Great Grimsby

PS An answer as soon as he arrives will be thankfully receiv'd and gratefully acknowledged by your humble servant