WCP487

[1]¹

London

8 Januari[sic] 1913

Dear Gentleman

I have had the pleasure in reading the Westminster Gazette and I was very glad to see your picture and read about your story about ship wrecked and then a[sic] other part is that you are [a] very good man[.] I am of your opinion [that] Government should not give away a single penny of public money to pictur[e] museums as long as a single person in the country dies of starvation of so as the king wrote to me he was very sory[sic] and could not pay my fare [2] to South Africa[.] I am a boer and I have lost 1 my property 2 my papers are ^buried burid[sic] 3 my money is up through the last strike we have had a restourant[sic] in Leith Scotland and now of what my to several office in [1 word illeg.] Victoria Street London but no white house could do nothing I have used up my furniture and so I am living with my poor wife in 91 Vauxhall Bridge Road in a furnished room[.] O Lord Russel Wallace if you could help my[sic] I should be very glad if I had on[sic] moment £15 but nobody wil[sic] help me to come back to east fourtein[sic] natal you should help me very poor man[.] [3]

I am very good ^{for a farm} my wife can milk cows and I can dres[s] horses and so: but we have nothing and now I hope you could do anything for us[.] I [1 word illeg.] ^pound money for we are nearly on the street recived[sic] order greating and we hope you will help us[.] Dear Lord your servants from Africa British subjects of your dear Country | W van der Berghe [signature]

91 Vauxhall Bridge Road

SW London