1 To His Imperial Majesty, King George V of Great Britain
and Ireland, Emperor of India. Sir, I must respectfully beg to bring before your notice my case
and to humly ask for the exercise of your royal prerogative
and clemency. Some years ago I lost my eyesight and am now totally
blind. I was, in consequence, unable to work and as I had a
family of four depending on me, there seemed to be nothing
for us but to go into the Workhouse. Some kind people subscribed and bought a pony and
trap for me and with the help of my eldest son I have been
able to earn enough to support my wife and family by
selling artices delph & through the country districts. To do so,
I paid five shillings for a peddlar's license, but now the
Customs and Excise authorities have notified me that I must
pay £2 yearly for a hawker's license. This I am totally unable to do, and if I cannot go out
as heretofore to earn something for my wife and family
there is nothing for us but the Union Workhouse. I have always
paid my way fully and honestly, and now that I am blind
I am earnestly seeking some consideration from the authorities
in asking that, in the meantime, I may be allowed to follow my
occupation of hawking and so prevent sin of us becoming a
burden on the public funds. In two years time I could pay a license, as then my
second child would be old enough to go out with me in the
cart, and thus release the eldest for earning money by work. The police authorities or the magistrates of this town can
testify to the truthfulness of the statements I have made here.
I would, therefore humbly beg for the exercise of your royal
perogative in obtaining for me at least two years' exemption from
an impost that I cannot possibly pay. I have the honour to be, Your Majesty's loyal and obedient subject, Daniel Gordon , Flag Lane.
Ballymena, Co. Antrim, Ireland