Skip to main content
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.

PEDDER, George Murray, 1826

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/86, 297

Post Office

Table Bay

Feb 10 1826

My Lord,

In pointing out to your Lordship my peculiar distressing situation I hope not to be deemed presumptuous.

In the year 1818 I arrived in this Colony and established a Whale Fishery, embarking a capital of five thousand pounds sterling, all that I had hardly gained during the war, the whole of which property with my eldest son was destroyed by fire, done intentionally by the hands of two slaves. This event left me with a wife and four very young children in a perfect state of destitution, my half pay being involved in my misfortunes. The anxious feeling which has continued to mark the Government of this Colony that the afflicted and unfortunate may share its protection prompted me to solicit His Excellency Lord Charles SOMERSET's patronage for the appointment of deputy Port Captain. My destitute circumstances joined to my being so old an officer [that] the conviction His Lordship felt of its being necessary for the general good of the shipping interest of this Colony to place an experienced & active officer in the situation were reasons that induced His Excellency to honor me with the appointment.

I beg leave to sate I was from the year 1799 until the peace in active service afloat and had the honor of serving under the lamented Lord NELSON in the action of the 2nd April 1801 & in the action with the enemy on the coast of France under the orders of Sir Sidney {SMITH] afterwards with Captain Peter RAINER in culling out the Dutch frigate (Maria Regensberger) afterwards HMS [Java?] In the action Capt P. RAINER honored me by public mention of my name in the official dispatches to the Admiralty. My misfortunes from fire have destroyed the means I had of reference except the two enclosed certificates. I can however with confidence refer your Lordship to Sir J. BRENTON Bart, who will not only confirm my assertions but satisfy your Lordship as to my competency to fill my present station, with justice to the public.

His Excellency has been pleased to say he will honor me with a letter of recommendation to your Lordship. I beg leave to state the different ships I have served on .

Station

Ships

Commanders

Channel

Achille

Capt. G. MURRAY

North Sea

Edgar

Do

Channel

London

Do

North Sea & Mediterranean

Penelope

W.R. BROUGHTON

India

Blenheim

Rear Admiral Sir Thomas STRAWBRIDGE

India & China Seas

Caroline

Peter RAINER

North Sea

Ganges

Geo. DUNDAS

Mediterranean

Argo

F. WARREN

Cape of Good Hope & America

Niemen

Sl. PYMM

I humbly hope your Lordship may be pleased to take into consideration my long service and to confirm my present appointment.

I have the honor to remain

Your Lordship's obedient servant

Lieut.R.N. G.M. PEDDER

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew, CO48/86, 301

This is to certify that Lieut. George Murray PEDDER served during the war in four different ships under the same commander as myself and that he was considered a zealous and attentive officer and a good seaman and I have reason to believe he is well qualified to fill any situation where nautical skill is required.

Given under my hand on board HMS Martin, Simon's Bay

January 31st 1826

Thomas WILSON Captain

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew, CO48/86, 302

This is to certify that Lieut. G.M. PEDDER has served as Lieutenant in His Majesty's ships since 1807 and has to my knowledge been considered a worthy and deserving officer, and must from the situations he has held be perfectly competent to undertake any employment where nautical knowledge is required.

Given under my hand in ?? Bay this 28th day of January 1826

[illegible signature]

  • Hits: 6099