Most honorable Mr Darwin!

In this letter I transfer a petition to you. Why to you? I believe that you are wealthy and bountiful, and that you may behold my disagreeable position from a higher and easy place, not at all influenced. I cannot see a near help.

I am of ordinary birth and without fortune. By finishing my studies—I am forester of scientific learning—I have entered some debts. In the last time I have now accomplished a military exercise of eighty weeks. Well, thereby my debts have not so much increased, yet the expenses of it must quickly be paid, moreover I am in retard with discharging me from my former engagements.

In all my debts amount to 1800 Mark, whereof 250/300 Mark are pressing to be quickly paid. The remainder does not hurry and may be repaid in time—

The thought to pray for your assistance may seem peculiar, however it is not wholly innatural. I cannot claim the bankers because these man certainly do not possess personal bounty concerning money affairs. In the small cercle around me nobody will be able to borrow me the sum, I want. Formerly I stood beneath my kind creditors, to-day I am already something, and therefore perhaps—I do not easily find a help. My small income of 150 Mark for the month may often be taxed as sufficient, also for extraordinary expenses. Thus I ought to look for a further help, and here I found you.

If you would have the bounty to assist me with the wanted sum, I dispose you besides my greatest thanks; my serious will to restore it in ten rates of month, and will begin to repay in the third month; then in the course of a year the whole sum must be repaid. If you will demand interests, I have no objection. I could pay to a house that you instrust with it. At last I pray to be discret and to pardon my bad english. Since ten years, when I went from school, it is now the first time, that I employ that language.

I am respectfully your | most humble | Frederick Schwerzfeger, | Candidat—overforester. | (in german: Oberförster—Candidat).¹