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Transcript of letter:
In May last, the late Lord George Bentinck dub’d me “Poet of York” on my addressing some Verses to his Lordship on the result of the Derby race.
I was previously under obligation to Lord George, in whose death I have sustained a loss. His Lordship might have his failings (all men have) but I can only say that he had also his virtues; and if the latter did not conceal the former, at all events they overbalanced them.
My late Father held office in the Tax department, but he was taken to a premature grave when I was very young; after which we were reduced and dispersed.
I have been in York eight years part of which I had a School, but it terminated in disappointment and I abandoned it in despair. I have a family, and have had it devastated by death, having lost five Children within three years : I have also lately had a visitation of sickness. I am in perplexity at present, but I propose to deliver some Readings, which will tend to emancipate me.
Your Lordship is a stranger to me, but if you can exercise faith in me, and if the disclosure I have made shall justify you in extending the indulgence of a loan of a couple of pounds to assuage my existing needs, you may rely upon it My Lord there are considerations quite as sacred in their influence as promises that would cause me to discharge the obligation as soon as I recover myself a little. Pray pardon this trespass, and allow me to remain Your humble Servant
My Lord Duke
Richard Chicken 26 St Mary’s Row,
York — Nov 6th /48.
If such shall be
your gracious pleasure,
I, for the future
will endeavour
To pray that in
your hour of need,
Faith may support
your drooping head,
And that your last
and final doom
May be the Sentence
of “well done”.