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.

MITCHELL, William

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 522

24 Argyll Street

Oxford Street

27th July 1819

Sir,

I shall feel obliged by your informing me the particulars relative to the intended settlement at the Cape of Good Hope and what will be required of any person wishing to become a settler there. My family consists of myself wife and nephew. I shall likewise esteem it a favor to be informed if there be any appointment likely to take place in the ship building line in that or any of the colonies.

I remain Sir with due respect

Your obed't serv't

Wm. MITCHELL

24 Argyll Street

Oxford Street

30th July 1819

Sir,

In the circular letter I have had the honor to receive from you I see that any person taking out ten settlers will be required to deposit one hundred pounds to be repaid as therein mentioned but no notice is taken of the capital necessary for the person to possess over and above the hundred pounds deposit to enable him to cultivate the grant of land, or what security he has of the persons taken out remaining in his service when landed at the Cape. Does the money granted by Parliament go no further in its application than to defray the passage and victualing or is any assistance given to the person not possessing a sufficient capital himself.

I remain Sir very respectfully

Your most obd't sv't

Wm. MITCHELL

  • Hits: 6324