Skip to main content
GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Correspondence 1821 to 1837.

Here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed, whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46) whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape.

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy.The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

VALLENTINE, John, 1826

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/86, 417

Stratford on Slancy

April 3rd 1826

My Lord,

I have the honor to lay before your Lordship the copy of a letter which I received from Mr. Wm. SHEPHERD, No.59 Lower East Smithfield, dated March 26, which is as follows:

“I have to inform you that His Majesty's Government has agreed to bear the whole expence of your going out, but half of the expence must be reimbursed to the Government by you when at the settlement, in a limited time. If you are willing to proceed and enter into engagements accordingly you must send me an answer immediately with three pounds sterling for yourself, wife and family, for incidental expences, an assurance you will go, before your name can be sent into Government.”

The above is a correct copy of Mr. SHEPHERD's letter.

My Lord,

Having a brother a settler in the Cape of Good Hope I would wish to imbrace the first opportunity of going to him and am hapy to find that His Majesty's Government is giving a grant. I humbly beg your Lordship would let me know the several grants ie how [much] land, cattle and seed and if there is any other provision. I beg your Lordship will inform me so, and also let me know whether it is to East Smithfield or to the Collonial Office I am to send the £3 which Mr. SHEPHERD mentioned. I would like to know when and where I am to embark as I have decided on going as soon as I receive your Lordship's answer.

I am, my Lord,

Your obedient humble servant

John VALLENTINE

Direct John VALLENTINE, Stratford on Slancy by Baltinglass, County Wicklow, Ireland

  • Hits: 6028