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.

THOMAS, Alexander

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 32

Barnstaple, Devon

July 20th 1819

Sir,

Since I had the honour of receiving your favor of the 7th June last respecting the grants of land to His Majesty's Naval and Military Officers proceeding to North America as settlers. I am informed through the medium of the public papers that His Majesty's Ministers are pleased to give the preference to those who wish to go to the Colony at the Cape of Good Hope, that a passage out is found and that a sum of £50,000 is allotted for advancing this desired purpose &c &c

Therefore under these circumstances I have the honour to inform you that I am one of the original captors of that Colony under Sir Geo. Keith ELPHINSTONE, now Lord KEITH and Sir Alfred CLERK in 1795 and have been there several times since and would feel it a most particular favour if you will please to inform me of the intentions of His Majesty's Ministers respecting grants of land &c to officers who may become settlers there.

I have Sir the honor to remain

Your most ob't serant

Alex Kasstner THOMAS

Captain RN

  • Hits: 5686