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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.

TAYLOR, Joseph

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 34

51 East Smithfield

22 July 1819

Sir,

Having for some time determined to go from England to the Cape of Good Hope as an agriculturalist and observing by the public papers that His Majesty's Government intend to give every facility to such persons as are desirous to emigrate for that purpose, and as it is necessary for me to know the grounds upon which persons are to be sent out, I take the liberty of applying to you on this occasion and to request a reply to the following questions.

What is the precise spot fixed upon for the new colony and the nature of its situation and soil, if near a navigable river and whether any Europeans have already commenced a settlement there. Should I take with me a number of persons, whether any compensation will be granted on account of that number and what provision will be allowed for their support during the time which may expire before a quantity of land is cultivated sufficient for their maintenance? Supposing the distance to be 300 miles from the Cape whether a grant may not be obtained in a situation nearer? What means the grower may have to dispose of his produce and the places where he may be at liberty to trade? Or whether the produce is to be exclusively bartered for at the Cape? If there are ports where vessels touch near the proposed settlement? Whether the persons sent out are to be supplied with livestock for breeding or implements of agriculture? Or is it expected that they are to furnish themselves? And should the latter be the case whether sufficient tunnage will be allowed to carry such things from England? Or if Government intend to furnish those necessaries, to be paid for at any given time.

I remain Sir

Your most obed't humble serv't

Joseph TAYLOR

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