Sir Having so often experienced the
effect of your humanity, it would argue a considerable degree of
presumption in one to Address(?) you on any light affair, but the
present I trust you will consider as in some sort worthy of your
notice. By your permission Hon Sir Continued(?) at …..
paying the usual weekly some(?) as a tradesman to govt after my
wife to whence you had been pleased to assign me off the stores
had left her home and acted in other respects in a most incorrect
manner insomuch that her repeated improprieties she was about a
week ago sent to the factory. I did not therefore suffer myself to
entertain any apprehensions on my own account. But Hon Sir, I was
yesterday evening sent for by Lieutenant Cushen(?) by whom I was
ordered into govt employ without any crime being alleged against
me or much less committed by me of which I am ….. at present ….. I
hazard not a conjection as to the probably cause of this order but
circumstances with which you are acquainted induce me to think
that it is on my wife’s account. After saying that respect
due by me to a superior order at whose disposal I always
considered myself in ….. to be and having … to I rest(?)
satisfaction that every degree of justice will be rendered to me
yours with the highest respect Honoured Sir Your very humble servant George Onslow
Comment Les Rowley: This seems to imply that
Mary's improprieties were with Lieut Cushen, and that everybody
knew the story. George is complaining he is getting screwed, but
what about Mary packed off to the factory aged sixteen, and dead
two years later? Some researchers suggest that George was
assigned to Mary prior to the marriage, but I have seen no dates.
This petition seemst to imply he was assigned to her when she was
his wife?