MARILLIER, James William (brother of Philip Richard MARILLIER), 1837

National Archives, Kew, London CO48/187, 337

Harrow on the Hill
9 September 1837

My Lord,
           Trusting to your Lordship's kindness to pardon the liberty I am taking, I beg to transmit a testimonial I have obtained from Lt. Col. DUNDAS and to solicit your Lordship on behalf of my brother P.R. MARILLIER, Clerk to the Resident Magistrate of Somerset, to whom it refers. He has been ten years in the service of the Colonial Government at the Cape of Good Hope, holding for some years an appointment of £120 per an. He obtained about four years ago when considerable reductions were made, another of only £100 per an, the one he held having been reduced to £80. On this small sum he finds it impossible to maintain his family, and I trust your Lordship taking into consideration his length of service, which usually brings rather increased than diminished pay, will kindly grant him your protection. May I be allowed to add that he has always earnestly looked forward to the [measures] adopted by the present Government towards the Natives, and is very desirous of promoting their humane and enlightened views, as the letters I have received from him abundantly testify. A friend applied some months since on the subject to Lord HOLLAND, who recommended application should be made direct to your Lordship: the Rev'd Mr. CUNNINGHAM afterwards kindly undertook to lay before your Lordship the statement I made to him and other documents, and about three weeks ago he informed me he had done so but that the answer was unfavourable on account of the numerous applications. Under these circumstances I have taken the liberty of addressing myself to your Lordship and trust, my Lord, that you will not deem my application improper, and that the length of my brother's service joined to his liberal principles and earnest desire of furthering your Lordship's intentions for the benefit of the Natives will induce you to grant a favourable intention to his case.
I have the honor to be, My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant
J.W. MARILLIER

Draft reply to J.W. MARILLIER, near the church, Harrow, 19th September

Sir,
I am directed by Lord GLENELG to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant on behalf of your brother Mr. P.R. MARILLIER, and to acquaint you that in the present state of the Revenue of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, his Lordship regrets that he cannot hold out to you any expectation that it will be in his power to authorise an increase of that gentleman's official income.