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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.

PIKE, John, 1828

National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 376

The humble Petition of Thomas PIKE and John PIKE brothers of William PIKE, Settler at the Cape of Good Hope,

Sheweth, That we your Petitioners, most humbly request you will please if Practicable, to grant us the indulgence, to have a conveyance from this our Native country, to the Cape of Good Hope to our Brother, and to our Families, consisting of 17 Persons who are all desirous to go. We your Petitioners begs further to state for your information we have been since our youth in the practice of Cultivation in the farming line and our Sons also have been in that capacity and are all stout and healthy; as also our wives who are as desirous to go as ourselves.

Providing we can be granted the indulgence We beg to add we conceive there will be 3 of us capable to work our Passage if there can be any provision made for the remainder, if not we shall humbly acknowledge, and attend to your answer – trusting you will be pleased to inform us the [total] amount of the Passage expences.

Hoping the result of Your Honors answer being favorable, we shall as in duty bound ever fervently pray.

Which is Submitted by

Your Honor's most humble Petitioners

John & Thomas PIKE

Nottingham 12th May 1828

N.B. Please to address

John PIKE

Post Office Nottingham

Till called for

P.S. If it would be more agreeable to convey a larger number here is several other families wishes to go.

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 377

Copy

Downing Street

15 May 1828

John PIKE

Mr Secy HUSKISSON desires me to acquaint you in answer to your Memorial of the 12th instant that H.M's Govt. do not grant passages to persons desirous of proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope.

Sender: J. LEVESON GOWER

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 378

Holme Pierepponte

2nd June 1828

Sir,

I applied on the 12th Ulto. for information what the freight would be for myself and family, as well as my Brother and his family; if not probable to go free and I have received an answer that there is no provision at present for a passage for Settlers (nr. Bathurst). I now beg you will please to inform me what will be the least expence for myself and Brother Wives and children consisting of seventeen souls to go to that part of the Globe. I have a brother a Settler in that part of the world who has sent for us shall it meet the approbation of Lord Bathurst to grant the indulgence to join him with as little delay as possible.

Shall you Sir please to favor me with an answer on the subject as speedily as convenient, it will be greatfully acknowleged and my Brother, who is there will pay £20-0-0 and £20-0-0 we can advance between [us and] if that will not be a sufficient sum we [will] endeavour on receiving your answer to make up the amount being resolved to go.

I am, Sir

Your very Obed't. Serv't.

John PIKE

Post Office

Nottingham

Till Called For

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