Lightfoot to Newcastle

As an intending emigrant to British Columbia I am naturally
desirous of acquainting myself, with the History resources & details
of that Colony previous to my departure from England. I therefore
take the great liberty of addressing myself direct to Your Grace,
for the purpose of requesting that you would cause me to be
referred to the best sources of information on the subject,
whether books, or otherwise.

I shall be "called to the Bar" in Michaelmas Term of the
present year, after which it is my intention to proceed at once to
British Columbia.

I have been for many years engaged very extensively in
Mercantile pursuits (chiefly between this Country & India and the
Colonies) prior to studying for the Bar; and am perfectly and
practically (from great experience) versed in all the principles
and usages of Trade & Commerce, Shipping, &c &c.

I speak four European Languages besides English, and though I
know not how far such qualifications would be useful in such a
Colony, in the hope of rendering them available for acquiring an
independence, and at the same time possibly making them useful to
others I am very desirious of as far as by any means is
attainable, adding to my store of local information.

May I therefore be permitted to beg of your Grace that you
would at this same time pardon my (I fear) unusual request, and
cause me to be furnished with references to the information I am
searching after.