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

Correspondence 1821 to 1837.

Here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed, whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46) whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape.

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy.The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

PARKER, William, 1820

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/53, 147

Passage West, Ireland

3 Jany 1820

Sir,

I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 29th ult and agreeably thereto take leave to return the letter to Lord Charles SOMERSET.

As soon as the East Indian arrives in Cork Harbour I shall immediately embark the remaining part of the settlers and transmit to you fair copies of the lists of the individuals on board, in conformity to the instructions which Lieut. LEWIS the Resident Agent for Transports has received from the Navy Board.

It will be necessary to substitute a few names in the room of some persons who have declined proceeding from circumstances that have occurred since the lists were returned.

I have the honour to be Sir

Your most obedient humble servant

Wm. PARKER

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/53, 159

Ship East Indian

Cove of Cork

22 January 1820

Sir,

With reference to my letter of the 3rd inst to which I have not as yet been favoured with an answer I take leave to inform you that the extreme severity of the weather prevented a few of the settlers joining this ship here until yesterday and that from deaths, marriages and various other circumstances that have occurred among the individuals who were to proceed with me to the Cape of Good Hope I was obliged to make a few more alterations in the list of settlers.

I have now the honour to transmit you three fair copies of the number actually on board who have been mustered by Lieut. WOLRIDGE RN Agent of Transports and who transmits to Lieut. LEWIS the Resident Agent here a fair copy of the same.

On a consultation with Rear Admiral Sir Josiah ROWLEY and Lt. LEWIS it has been deemed most expedient to prevent delay and expense that the East Indian should proceed to sea although I have not received a dispatch for General Lord Charles Henry SOMERSET, but which I take leave to submit may be sent by the first ship to His Excellency.

I have to crave your reference to my letter of the 25th ult wherein the cause of the number of able bodied men being seventy six instead of seventy five is fully explained.

I have the honour to be Sir with much respect

Your most obedient humble servant

Wm. PARKER

 

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/53, 161

Ship East Indian

Cork Harbour

23 Jan 1820

Mr. Wm. PARKER presents his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN , takes leave to send him three copies of the Rules which with the very kind assistance of Mr. WILBERFORCE and several other distinguished and benevolent characters he has framed for the management of the settlers proceeding under his direction to the Cape of Good Hope.

The wind has unfortunately come round to the southward and it almost blows a hurricane. Mr. PARKER does not intend sleeping on shore, that no further alteration should take place in the list of his settlers after requests that Mr. GOULBURN will have the kindness to forward the enclosed to Lord ENNISMORE and Mr. MACAULEY.

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