Letter to show the degree of poverty in Glasgow (catalogue reference HO 42/199 f356)
Transcript
Glasgow
27th November 1819
My Lord,
I humbly beg leave to state to your Lordship that I have a wife and nine children and only two of my sons are in employment for which they have 12/- [shillings] per week betwixt them and I am out of employment myself and the times are so bad I cannot get any employment at present. I have been a manufacturer but unfortunate and I cannot get support for my family notwithstanding. My furniture has been poinded [Scottish expression for confiscated] for the Taxes as per enclosed paper, it is quite impossible for me to pay them at present, may it therefore please your Lordship to direct that my property shall be left with me or if taken away restored depending on your Lordship’s humanity and Justice.
I am
My Lord
your obedient Servant,
John Mattman
To be found in Carswells Court, George Street, Glasgow.