Tecumseth Parish
Sept. 12, 1854
My Lord
After much serious and earnest consideration I feel it to be my duty to ask your Lordship to remove me where an opportunity may occur to a change where my children may be reasonably educated and where I may perform my duty without such constant traveling as is necessary here.
The time was when I did not feel this a labour now it is most painful to me and he almost continual pain in my back warns me that if I must continue to exercise my ministry and its must be where much less traveling is necessary. Even the appointment of another clergyman to this section of the country which are Lordship has kindly promised though greatly relieved my mind will afford very little bodily relief as he ought to reside in Nottawasaga L. Enc. But with one to have charge of those places a clergyman able to write on horseback may readily perform the duties here. While for my inability now to use that mode of traveling during the spring and autumn my duties are painfully and imperfectly done. I cannot describe to your Lordship how heavily this presses upon my mind -- it grieves me to the heart while in another place I might work with comfort to myself and with God's blessing profit to the people.
Another thing which makes it necessary that I should remove to some other place is for the educating of my children. Tho the eldest have received good education but there are six others who now require it and I cannot afford to send many from home to school. I had expected to receive a comfortable income from private property and home (the villainy of an agent deprived me of it) and though the law condemned him to make good any loss and pay every expense from one who has no visible property nothing could be obtained. Therefore with the exception of 50 or 60 pounds I am entirely dependent on my clerical income. Still I am neither in debt or difficulty but I think it right to state to your Lordship who has ever been so kind of friend to me exactly how I am situated. Mrs. Osler's health too is very indifferent and I think a change might be of service to her.
Your Lordship I trust knows me sufficiently to believe that it is not to avoid work that I seek removal but that I may work somewhere more suited to my present ability. I am aware that an appointment such as I require may not for some time be at your Lordship's disposal but I have felt it a duty to state my wish and my circumstances with the hope that where such occurs your Lordship will add another favour to the many I have received at your hands and give the appointment to me.
I have the honour to be
Sir F. Osler