| Description | Mrs Richardson had told him that she thought he would have no objections to writing to Sir John Franklin on behalf of a deserving young man, the natural son of Sir Charles Cunningham, Stuart by name aged about 21 or 22; his mother is not known, but she married an army officer sicne her misconduct; he was educated at Merchant Taylors School and wanted to join the army; Sir Chares endeavoured to procure a commission in the marines, but failed; he was, therefore, sent to seek his fortune in New South Wales, and only after Sir Charles's death did he get to know the name of his father; an old friend of his father's, Mr Stewart, has acted the part of a parent for him; Stuart has shown an amiable disposition and concealed his mother's transgressionas far as possible; he is managing a farm 20 miles from Port Stephens called Ballickera with 12 convicts under his direction; the farm belongs to Lieutenant William Caswell, R.N., married to a niece of Mr Stewart; Twopenny has not seen Stuart himself, but does not doubt his merit.
Endorsed by memorandum in the hand of Sir John Franklin that the letter was forwarded by Dr Richardson, recommending a young man named Stewart, the natural son of Admiral Sir Charles Cunningham. |