Coppin to Cardwell

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.