BITTLESTON, George
National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 201
London 15th July 1819
My Lord,
It being my wish to settle at the Cape of Good Hope (provided I am fortunate enough to obtain the assistance held out by his Majesty's Government) with fourteen or fifteen families under my protection - Five of which have been employed by me as Carpenters, Bricklayers &c but through the depression of Trade I have been obliged in part to discharge –The remainder of which are Husbandmen & one Blacksmith & a Carpenter from the County of Durham. I have selected the Husbandmen from this County on account of their knowledge in agricultural pursuits & general steady conduct & the female part from being well acquainted with Knitting, Spinning &c – but should wish to be informed in what Part of the Country it is intended we should be settled; for having intensive connexions in the Iron Trade at Birmingham and Wolverhampton I flatter myself that I should likewise be enabled to carry on extensive Trade with advantage to myself & of service to the Colonists & on this account should wish to be settled as near to the Harbour as possible. And I should wish to know in what way Materials for erecting Habitations are obtained, or whether they will be supplied on the same terms as implements of Husbandry – a favourable answer will be gratefully received by
George BITTLESTON
Timber Merchant and Builder
Lomans Pond
Gravel Lane
Southwark
National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 401
1st Aug 1819
My Lord,
I beg leave most respectfully to acknowledge your circular of the 17th (signed Henry GOULBURN) in answer to mine of the 15th, and being fully satisfied as to the proposals which have been offered by His Majesty's Government only wish to be informed if I and those under my protection may be allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope at the time appointed by his Majesty's Government. On account of the distance of the County of Durham from Town & the preparations which will be necessary before their departure from that county, I should on their account feel myself most particularly obliged for an early answer to this, should I be allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope in conformity with the offer of His Majesty's Government.
I am you Lordship's obdt. Humble sevt
George BITTLESTON
Timber Merchant & Builder
Lomans Pond
Gravel Lane
Southwark
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