her's way in obtaining his arrears he has been subjected to
great inconvenience and distress. An early answer on this point
will much oblige, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
GEORGE BORROW.
V
To the Rt. Hon. The Secretary at War
WILLOW LANE, NORWICH, _May 24, 1833._
SIR,--I take the liberty of addressing you for the purpose of
requesting that an order be given to the Paymaster General for
the issue of the arrears of pay of my brother Lieutenant John
Borrow of the West Norfolk Militia, whose agent I am by virtue
of certain powers of Attorney, and also for the continuance of
the payment of his disembodied allowance. Lieutenant Borrow was
not present at the last training of his Regiment, being in
Mexico at the time, and knowing nothing of the matter. I beg
leave to observe that no official nor other letter was
dispatched to him by the adjutant to give him notice of the
event, nor was I, his agent, informed of it, he therefore
cannot have forfeited his arrears and disembodied allowance. He
was moreover for twelve months previous to the training, and
still is, so much indisposed from the effects of an attack of
the yellow fever, that his return would be attended with great
danger, which can be proved by the certificate of a Medical
Gentleman practising in Norwich, who was consulted from Mexico.
Lieutenants Harper and Williams, of the same Regiment, have
recovered their pay and arrears, although absent at the last
training, therefore it is clear and manifest that no objection
can be made to Lieut. Borrow's claim, who went abroad with his
Commanding Officer's permission, which those Gentlemen did not.
In conclusion I have to add that I have stated nothing which I
cannot substantiate, and that I court the most minute scrutiny
into the matter. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most
obedient and most humble servant,
GEORGE BORROW.
[Illustration: GEORGE BORROW
From a portrait by his brother John Thomas Borrow taken in early youth
when his hair was black. This portrait is now in the National Portrait
Gallery, London.]
The last of these letters is in another handwriting than that of Borrow,
who by this time had started for St. Petersburg for the Bible Society.
The officials were adamant. To one letter the War Office r
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