PHILPS, Rev. Robert

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 326

Ashbrittle

Near Wellington

Somerset

Oct 22^nd 1819

My Lord,

Having some thought of emigrating to the Cape with Mrs. PHILPS and a young family of five children and being advised to write to you as Sec'y for the Colonial Department, I have therefore taken the liberty of addressing your Lordship upon the subject.

The necessary particulars relative to a settlement at the Cape I have not seen, excepting a mere outline in a provincial paper, and consequently I am unable to form any just or reasonable opinion as to the advantages likely to accrue from an enterprize of the kind. The colony is at present I presume in its infant state with regard to English settlers - & how far appointmts in respect to chaplians of the Established Church may be required, I am also at a loss to conjecture. Will your Lordship have the goodness to inform me whether there are any appointmts of the kind and also whether there are any vacant chaplaincies?

What salary if any is allotted by Government? Whether there are any such appointmts existing; and the channel thro' wch an application is to be made? Probably the appointment of persons duly qualified & approved of as chaplains they rest solely with yourself, if so, in that case, I would prevail upon some of my friends to recommend me to your Lordship's notice.

My present salary as stipendiary curate amounts to only £70 per annum, far too little to support myself & family with that becoming decency wch such a profession requires in England. Should your Lordship deign to favor me with a reply to the above queries I should consider myself highly flattered by such a mark of condescension.

I have the honor to be my Lord

Your Lordship's most obed't humble serv't

Rev'd Rob't G. PHILPS