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.

WETTON, J

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 494

28 Edward Street

Cavendish [Sq]

October 2nd 1819

My Lord,

I have the honor to address the following lines to you soliciting your Lordship's interest in behalf of a party of ten proposing to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope and who have appointed me as their director. Relying on your Lordship's patience I shall describe the party – they consist of farmers and mechanics, all able bodied men, some having wives and small families. Never did a better understanding or more harmony exist in any party who may have offered themselves as emigrants to the Cape, their views being all directed to one point, namely agriculture. Numerous reports are in circulation respecting the selection of persons wishing to emigrate. I trust my Lord we have not been too sanguine in our expectations. Since our being first embodied we have not troubled your Lordship hitherto. Our views have directed towards emigration and have provided for it which [obscured] with little inconvenience has been attended with some expence. Should your Lordship condescend to give [us] hope of going you may rely on our [obscured] secrecy and in the event of our [obscured] I take upon myself to say for the entire community that we shall not be deficient of gratitude but shall be

Your Lordship's humble servants

J. WETTON

  • Hits: 5272