Coppin to Cardwell
South Sydenham
Near Tavistock
16th Octr 1865 To the Right Honorable Edward Cardwell

Sir,
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.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient & humble Servant
Daniel Coppin
Secretary of State
for the Colonies
London
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
Request the Govr to institute enquiries, & report the result. Inform the applicant.
ABd 17 Oct
At once.
FR 17/10
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to Coppin, 19 October 1865, advising that the governor had been instructed to enquire into the fate of Samuel Daniels.
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Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 83, 19 October 1865.