England

A Letter to Lord Macartney, 25th September 1780

An extremely charming object here: a Mr Thomas Wallace, who appears to be entirely lost to posterity[1], writes a plaintive plea to George, Lord Macartney (as he then was), who was at the time stationed in London in his capacity as M.P. for Bere Alston, in-between his governorships of Grenada and Madras. Wallace seems to have been employed by Macartney at some previous point, and here Wallace writes to him, seeking to re-connect with his former patron, who had by this time become a very powerful, influential man. Wallace, located in the Bedford Head lodging-house on Maiden Lane, London, expounds on how shit his present situation is, reminds Macartney of their past association while flattering him dreadfully, and very obsequiously asks to know if His Lordship knows of any humble vacancies as may be available for him and his brother. The sense of desperation is wonderfully tangible, over two centuries later. Anyway this really speaks for itself and doesn't need any further describing, so let's just get to it (spelling and syntax as per original):

Bedford Head, Maiden Lane, 25th Sept. 1780

My Lord,

I am very sorry that my present disagreeable situation forces me to trouble your Lordship at this time and more so when I consider that your own affairs must now demand your utmost attentions — But my idleness and the small appearances of being soon employed really distracts me, indeed I would prefer some employments without a Pecuniary consideration rather than be in the way I now am — I have been trying every feasible method to accomplish this end by applying to those who I knew might assist one in procuring a small Cargo of Merchandise for the West Indies, a Pursership in a Man of War or an Indiaman, a Clerkship in some Publick Office or an Appointment abroad but all to no purpose, and indeed I must say that were it possible to procure any of those places, and even more advantageous yet none of them would I prefer to being immediately under your Lordship — In short my Lord without I look up to you I have no friends left that can do me the least service, in you I have already met with a most Powerful and gracious Patron, and I must stile flatter myself that you will not now throw me aside in this moment of  adversity — were they in my power there are no services too great that I would not chearfully render to your Lordship — greater men may have greater Interest, but I can justly say that none can have a more fervent desire to please you than I have — and from the flattering satisfaction I enjoyed, while I had the honor of being Countenanced and employed by a Nobleman of your Lordships Character and great abilities, together with a personal affection I had contracted for you makes me anxiously wish to exhaust my poor abilities, and spend the remainder of my days in your service. Permit me then to hope that the past Endeavors of my Brother and myself without money and without friends; and what we earn and may be able to do in Future will influence your Lordship, to receive us again into your employ whenever an Opportunity offers that will make our services necessary — there are no pains, labor and industry I would not undergo to make them agreeable — Allow me then to pray for God sake my once Gracious, good & let me say Dear Master to think of us — take us with you when you go to India or any other Government and thereby lay us under an eternal obligation — I wish the Considerations herein may apologize for the liberties I have taken in writing you, and from your Lordships knowledge of me you will believe I have the honor to be and always shall remain with truth and sincerity and the greatest respect My Lord

Your Lordships most faithful & most hum. Servant

Thomas Wallace

I'm not quite philosophic enough to be able to decipher the postal markings here: we have a triangular London Penny Post mark, a very faint circular Bishop Mark and a red "P'Broke" arrival mark: what this is doing on a London -> London letter I have no idea whatsoever.

[1] Wikipedia furnishes a Thomas Wallace whose dates match up, but he was apparently an only son, while the writer here refers to a brother.