To Captain Henry Tucker   Satuday, | October 14th, 1843

Saturday, | October 14th, 1843

Sir,

A meeting having been held on the evening of Friday the 13th of October,¹ at which the information and arguments adduced by you on the morning of the same day, relative to a memorial to the Master General,² forwarded to you on Saturday the 23rd of September,³ received a calm consideration; we, the undersigned individuals, being called upon by the unanimous voice of those present, respectfully beg leave to lay before you their sentiments as regards the document alluded to.

We have to state distinctly that in their late proceedings Memorialists⁴ were actuated by no momentary impulse, no sudden ebullition of feeling caused by the unexpected appearance of your district order;⁵ the course which they have adopted towards that order is the result of calm convictions which remain to the present moment unimpaired.

With respect to their applying direct to the Master General, we would briefly remark that it is through his interference alone that Memoralists hope to have their grievances in due time redressed; in reference to that part of the Memorial which relates to the insufficiency of the rates of pay, we are to state that your known aversion to applications or complaints on this subject coupled with your relation to Col Colby force on us the opinion, that any reference to the latter would not be attended with success. Another part of the Memorial speaks of no allowance being made in case of sickness. You know, Sir, that Col Colby has been applied to in such cases and his answers shew that we have no hope of redress of this grievance at his hands. In reference to the grant,⁶ we would respectfully state, that the feelings which we have lately given expression are not of recent birth. They had an existence for years before the grant was produced. If Memorialists saw on the part of their Superintendents a disposition evinced to ameliorate their condition they would never have engaged in the present line of action.

In compliance then Sir with the wishes of those concerned we earnestly beg that you will have the goodness to forward the Memorial in its present form to the Master General.

This letter will explain to the M.G. the reason why Memorialists obtrude themselves directly upon his notice.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3298

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