Cotton to Lytton

It is with much diffidence and indeed reluctance that I
venture to trouble you on a matter connected with the high
office which you hold under Her Majesty, but I have received
a letter from a Gentleman settled in Canada who has done so
much good in his District (Canada West) where he has been
settled for years, when his assistance was required, requesting
me to have his application laid before you, one who seems from
his statement which I have the honour to enclose so well
qualified from various circumstances for the duties of such
an Office as he is seeking, that I venture to be the medium of
submitting that Statement to your consideration.

I feel sensibly how utterly destitute I am of any claim
upon your attention, in this or any other matter if only on
the ground of the difference of position, and of my being an entire
Stranger. It may however happen that Mr Keating's Qualifications
may be considered by you to be such as to make him appear a party well
suited to the Office which he is so anxious to obtain.

From having been near 50 years a Solicitor in this
locality I am generally well known in a large circle and I can
give you the most satisfactory references as to the integrity
of any Statement from myself. To that extent, but expressly
premising that I do not use his name in any manner or degree,
as party to this application, and indeed that I have no authority
whatever so to do, I feel that I may safely venture to add that
I am well known to the Rector of Knebworth with whom I have been
intimately acquainted for many years and that I have been for
a very long time and now an the Solicitor for him and for his
Family but in so doing I must repeat that I merely mention his
name as a Gentleman to whom I am well known and who I am sure
would not be offended by my so doing for that limited object.

I take the liberty to enclose a copy of Mr Keating's
Letter and of one addressed to him by Sir George Simpson the Originals
being in my possession and