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

pre 1820 Settler Correspondence before emigration

ALL the 1819 correspondence from CO48/41 through CO48/46 has been transcribed whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape. Those written by people who did become settlers, as listed in "The Settler Handbook" by M.D. Nash (Chameleon Press 1987), are labelled 1820 Settler and the names of actual settlers in the text appear in red.

JOHNSON, James

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 45

Thornset in the Parish of Glossop

Derbyshire

31st July 1819

My Lord,

Having read a speech of the Right Honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer prefacing the motion for a grant of a sum of money for the purpose of enabling unemploy'd workmen to emigrate to his Majesty's settlement at the Cape of Good Hope and also having received some information of a circular issued from the Colonial Department, several familys out of employ (and of a description which I believe would answer every purpose intended by his Majesty's government) wishes to embrace the verry flattering offer and as they know so little of the intended regulations beg as a favour that your Lordship would be so kind as to cause the following questions to be answered.

1st If 10 familys or more may be allowed to form themselves into a society rendering each other mutual assistance when located and advancing the requisite deposit themselves.

[margin note: may make among themselves what agreement they please]

2nd If any other assistance than the return of the said deposit will be allowed by Government either by lone agricultural implements &c when located.

[margin note: Govt. do not engage to give any more]

3rd If there be any houses ready to receive the familys or how near the settlement to any village or to Cape Town

[margin note: no, but there are settlements at no great distance]

4th At what office must persons wishing to emigrate apply to & whether the deposit must be paid personally or sent by post.

[margin note: will be mentioned when any proposal is acceded to]

5th At what port must Derbyshire and Cheshire emigrants sail from or if familys may be allowed to ship any goods such as beds, cooking utensils, agricultural implements &c

6th At what rate will the said deposit be at for a man his wife 1 daughter 16 and 1 son 19.

My Lord by causing the above questions to be answered your Lordship will confer an obligation upon a few familys whose only object is an honest living and their country's good and have no doubt when every family is particularly described their general character given and their plan made known they wish to go upon but they will meet with that suport so humanly offered by his Majesty's government.

I had forgot to ask when would be the most proper season to make application.

My Lord allow me to subscribe myself with the greatest deference and respect

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

James JOHNSON

Thornset in the Parish of Glossop, near Buxton, Derbyshire

  • Hits: 6236