I hope you will excuse me for thus taking the liberty to address
               you. About 9 years ago a young man named 
Samuel Daniels left England
               for America. His Mother who is my Mother in law has since then lived
               with me. She received one letter from him several years ago
               Containing a remittance of three pounds for her use. I have recently
               heard that he was killed at the 
Carriboo Gold Diggings in 
British
                  Columbia or 
Vancouver's Island by a pump falling upon him in a Shaft
               & that the Claim on which he was working was a very productive one.
               His Mother is naturally very anxious to obtain correct information as
               to this report, and as she is now entirely dependant upon Parish
               Support and the little help I can afford her I venture to ask the
               favor of Your causing enquiry to be made after him. Should he have
               left any property it will prove a great assistance to his Mother,
               Sisters, and myself.
               
               I am a Miner & have been employed at the Bedford United Mines
               near Tavistock 14 Years and will if desired procure Certificates as
               to my Character and the truth of the statement I now make. If Sir
               you will be so kind as to help me in obtaining some information you
               will confer a very great favor on the Mother and myself.