6 Shepperton St
Lower ?
Islington

To The Right Honble Robert Peel

11th June 1825

Sir,

In obedience to the commands with which you were pleased to honour me I now address you, and I shall endeavour from the consciousness of your time being too precious to be lavished on an insignificant individual like myself to be as concise as possible consistent with the nature of my request.

You may perhaps have known that about eighteen years ago a Mr Macready took the Manchester Theatre, but for want of funds to furnish it as was necessary, he was glad to accept Mr Galindo as a partner in the concern upon paying him as agreed upon 3500 pounds. Scarcely a twelvemonth had elapsed when by his misrule and mismanagement the whole scheme proved abortive and he to get rid of our claims declared himself a bankrupt, having for that purpose previously engaged in another speculation. To people of our limited means this was a most serious misfortune as it nearly swallowed up the whole of my little property, and subsequent misfortunes have every year increased the evil. Within the last three years Mr Galindo has withdrawn himself from me and his family, and I have had to struggle with innumerable difficulties to support myself and my two children on my small income.

By the advice of my friends I am come to reside in the vicinity of London and by the assistance of my son who is perfectly well qualified for the undertaking am endeavouring to open a preparatory school for young gentlemen from the age of 7 to 12 . It has been suggested to me that as nearly the whole of my small property was sunk in the Manchester Theatre by which means its value has been enhanced to the proprietors, they would be willing to support me on a benefit night to assist my present views, but the difficulty lies with the managers who might refuse me a night.

The motive of my presuming to address you is that could I procure the support of Sir Robert Peel and were it known he was influenced by you, they would not venture to refuse me.

My most humble and earnest intreaties therefore are that you would grant this request which I could never sufficiently acknowledge, by writing a few lines which I may present to Sir Robert Peel requesting him to honour me with his sanction that I am persuaded would ensure me success

And were I so fortunate as to obtain a sum of not even more than one hundred pounds you Sir would be the cause by granting this my request of giving the means to a whole family of providing for themselves in a decent and honourable mode of life.

I presume I may scarcely add that to a mind so generous and liberal as yours this must be a pleasing reflection, and the blessings which may attend so fine an action will doubtless bring its own reward when you have to reflect that the thanks and prayers of the unfortunate must soon attend you.

Let your determination be what it may either to grant or refuse this my request, you will at least do me the favour to forgive this intrusion.

Believe me, Sir

with the truest respect, your most obedient and very humble servant

Catherine Galindo

N.B. Catherine was 60 at this time and died four years later in Dublin. The children she refers to would have been Sarah (22) and Philemon Alfred (20) later vicar of Bolton. Juan (23) had been adventuring in Central America for some 5 years already.