POWRIE, Robert (Independent Settler), 1820

National Archives, Kew CO48/53

173
Liverpool, January 24th 1820

To the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst
The Petition of Robert POWRIE humbly sheweth, viz,
That your Petitioner has just received a letter from R.H. CREW Esq, Secretary to the Hon’ble Board of Ordnance, relative to a petition laid before the Hon’ble Board praying that your Petitioner might be provided with a passage from this Port to the Cape of Good Hope with a grant of land in that Colony – the Secretary to the Hon’ble Board of Ordnance directs your Petitioner to address the Secretary of State for the Colonies on that head.
Your Petitioner therefore most humbly prays that he might be provided with a passage from this Port and a grant of land in that Colony which is now offered to individuals Emigrating to the cape of Good Hope.
Your Petitioner begs leave to state that he has served in the Royal Artillery about sixteen years, the greatest part of that period as a non-commissioned officer, was discharged in consequence of Reduction, and your Petitioner served about twelve years in the Cape of Good Hope, and that the greater part of his relations are now settled in that Colony – as to character your Petitioner has in his possession several Certificates from gentlemen both in and out of the Army which testify for his uniform good behaviour.
Your Petitioner most humbly prays that your Lordship may take this his case into your humane consideration, he your Petitioner having a Wife and two young Children to provide for and no Employment to be had in this place and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Robert POWRIE
Age of Petitioner – thirty four years – Robert POWRIE
Do wife – twenty four do – Esther POWRIE
Do one child a boy – two years and five months – James POWRIE
Do one do a girl – five months – Martha POWRIE

PS Please direct your reply to Wapping near the Queen’s Dock, Liverpool

182
Liverpool, February 3rd 1820

To the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst
The Petition of Robert POWRIE most humbly sheweth, viz,
That your Petitioner did yesterday receive a Letter from Mr. GOULBURN in answer to a Petition lately laid before your Lordship, praying for to be sent to the Cape of Good Hope and a Grant of Land in that Colony. As that cannot at present be granted your Petitioner with all due deference begs leave to state that he has yesterday forwarded a Petition to the Hon’ble Board of Ordnance praying to be provided with a passage only to the Cape of Good Hope. Your Petitioner being fully convinced that his request will be granted by the Hon’ble Board, earnestly prays that upon his arrival he may be allowed a Grant of Land similar to those already sent out, or such portion thereof as your Lordship may think proper.
Your Petitioner has served in the Cape of Good Hope near twelve years and his relations being now settled in that Colony induces your Petitioner together with his present reduced circumstances to be anxious to proceed to that Colony.
Your Petitioner urged by necessity his case being that of bordering on extreme poverty notwithstanding his utmost exertions to gain a Livelyhood, and a wife and two young children to provide for is thus compelled to trouble your Lordship – hoping that your Lordship will take his case into your humane consideration and allow him a grant of Land in that Colony – which appears to your humble Petitioner to be the only means to keep him and family from comming to distress, and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray,
Robert POWRIE

PS Please direct your reply to Wapping near the Queen’s Dock

[note in corner from GOULBURN as to reply: Direct him on arrival to apply to Gov’r who has full power to grant him land]

184
Liverpool, February 19th 1820

To the Right Honourable Earl Bathurst
The Petition of Robert POWRIE with due deference most humbly sheweth, viz,
That your Petitioner did, as stated in a former Petition to your Lordship, address the Hon’ble Board of Ordnance relative to being provided with a passage to the Cape of Good Hope, your Petitioner has received a letter from the Hon’ble Board in reply to his Petition, which gives your Petitioner every reson to believe that a passage will be granted as soon as a promise of a grant of land can be obtained.
Your Petitioner therefore with the greatest reluctance most humbly solicits that your Lordship may be pleased to give him the promise of a Grant of Land upon his arival in that Colony.
From the urgency of your Petitioner’s case having a wife and two young children to provide for and the little money that he hath still being less and having been already twelve years in that Colony, his father and Mother being settled there, ensues your Petitioner to be so anxious and most humbly hopes that this will be sufficient apology for again intruding upon your Lordship’s notice.
Your Petitioner most humbly prays that your Lordship may take this his case into your humane consideration and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray,
Robert POWRIE

Your Petitioner begs leave to transmit a Copy of the Hon’ble Board’s letter
Robert POWRIE

In reply to your Petition repeating your request to be granted a passage for yourself and family to the Cape of Good Hope –
I am directed to acquaint you that as soon as you have obtained the promise of a Grant of Land, the Board will consider your Petition.
I am your humbled servant
Signed R.H. CREW

PS Be pleased to direct your reply to Wapping near the Queen’s Dock

[note in corner from GOULBURN as to reply: Acquaint him that the Govt no longer gives particular encouragement to persons proceeding to the Cape as settlers but that all persons who have the means of cultivating land may on application to the Governor receive a grant]

[Transcriber’s Note: Robert POWRIE was not accepted as an 1820 settler but obtained a passage back to the Cape on a Naval vessel, the Cumbrian, later in 1820]