To George Murray¹

Sir,²

I have been employed on the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Ireland for the last five years – during which time a complaint of any kind was never lodged against me. My constant aim has been to gain the approbation of my Superintendent³ by unremitting assiduity, and I have every reason to believe that my efforts have been successful. I was led to hope that by a steady adherence to this principle, I would ultimately arrive at a creditable position in my situation. This hope however has proved fallacious. My services on the Ordnance Survey have been lately dispensed with,⁴ and I am now a stranger in the City of London, without friends or employment.

With respect to my character both as a man and a civil assistant I beg to refer you to the accompanying copies of testimonials from the persons whose names they bear: should the originals be required I can produce them.

Lt. Wynne had means of judging of my character not only by personal observation but he also had an opportunity of finding his own opinion of me corroborated by the testimony of gentlemen of the highest respectability who have known me from my childhood. I send with this copies of testimonials⁵ from two of the latter. One is from the brother⁶ of the Earl of Bandon⁷ and uncle to Lord Bernard,⁸ Member for the town of Bandon, Ireland. The other is from a gentleman of property⁹ – the friend of Colonel Bruen,¹⁰ M.P. His not having any personal knowledge of me is the only thing that prevents the latter from adding his testimony – he is well acquainted with the character which I have ever bourne in the neighbourhood of my birth.

Capt. Tucker’s testimonial contains nothing adverse to this, on the contrary, he has corroborated the report made of me on my departure from Ireland, which was that my character was very good. He assigns as a reason for my dismissal that a reduction was required to lessen the expenses: but this cause alone would hardly have induced him to choose for this purpose a number of good and efficient men while many of a contrary character are retained. It may, however, be motives of good will prevented him from stating the true cause – a dislike to injure them may have prevented him from going into a detail of the circumstances which led to their dismissal. There are about a dozen persons similarly circumstanced, the majority of whom, I would venture to affirm, have been as efficient in their situations as any to be found on the Survey. The necessity of reducing the expense would in itself hardly induce Capt. Tucker to fix on such persons, while numbers of a contrary character are retained. Motives of good will may, however, have actuated him in assigning this cause. I have come to London for the express purpose of obtaining an interview with you – this favour I earnestly beg. I am a young man unacquainted with the world and altogether unaccustomed to a contact with persons of distinction – still, Sir, the character you have encourages me to appeal to you. I do so supported by the hope that when my case is laid before you I shall be rescued from many disagreeable circumstances which are naturally consequent on being suddenly dismissed from such a situation as I have held on the Ordnance Survey.

Private circumstances compel me to request an answer as early as convenient.

I remain, Sir, with feelings of the deepest respect,

Your most obedient humble servant, | John Tyndall.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3904

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