BURNETT, B (Bishop), 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 691

Arundel 17 Nov

Sir,

For the information of your party generally I beg to communicate on the authority of Mr.GOULBOURN that Mr.BAILIE has no power whatever to erase a single name from any list received and approved by Government.

I would also suggest the propriety of your party ascertaining the extent of this person's power before you sail by an application for that purpose to the proper department, a course I shall decidedly pursue if I determine to see fit.

I am Sir your obt sevt

B. BURNETT

[This letter was left here by Mr. BAILIE who came to complain of Mr. BURNETT's proceedings]

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 694

Arundel, 11 Panton Square

18 Nov 1819

Sir,

I have the pleasure to communicate that owing to powerful introductions to Capt. YOUNG, the agent for transports at Deptford, and to Lieut. COLE who sails in the Chapman, I feel no apprehensions of any influence Mr. BAILIE may exert for my annoyance. I therefore determine to take my passage in that vessel.

Since I had the pleasure of seeing you Mr. BAILIE has dared to insinuate that his influence in your department has positively excluded me from his list, although I quoted the authority of your assurance to the contrary, and have more than hinted my determination, in such event, to hold him to Bail for the damages I should sustain, which my solicitor assesses at a large amount. I cannot, however, for an instant listen to so foul an expression on the equity of government and the sanctity of your assurance.

As I'd not perhaps strictly comprehended all the advantages your alternative presented to me I must be suitor for the favour of another audience at your earliest leisure, as the Chapman (it is said) will sail on Monday next.

I have the honour to remain Sir

Your obliged humble servant

B. BURNETT

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 710

6 Arundel Street, Coventry St

Nov 22 1819

Sir

I had the honour of addressing you on the 18^th inst communicating my resolution to proceed to the Cape in the Chapman. I beg leave to say that thro' the kindness of Commissioner BANNEN, to whom I have since had the pleasure of an introduction, my name is withdrawn from any specific list and general orders transmitted to Capt. YOUNG to provide accommodation for myself and family. By this arrangement I shall escape those unpleasants which must have rendered a passage with Mr. BAILIE intolerable.

My introductions to the authorities of first families at the Cape are of the highest order. In addition to these I most gladly avail myself of your kind offer and the instant I have ascertained the probable period of my departure I shall do myself the pleasure to pay you my respects personally.

I have the honour to be Sir

Your obliged & hbl svt

B. BURNETT

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 712/713

6 Arundel St. Panton Square

23 Nov 1819

Sir,

Your communication of yesterday (the 22^nd) I had the honor of receiving on my return home late. I lose no time in replying to it, with expressions of sincere regret that the purport of my intelligence to the organ of Mr.BAILIE's party in the letter you quote should be in the least misunderstood. If I am wrong I beg of you to at least acquit me of being so intentionally.

I understood you to say that it was not in Mr.BAILIE's power to expunge a name from any list of settlers accepted by Government - this I believe your letter admits, & this is all I communicated to his party thro the medium of their secretary; if in citing your authority as its confirmation I acted injudiciously I have to offer you my sincere apologies.

If Mr. BAILIE has insinuated that I have infringed any understanding between us he does me injustice for none such ever existed; and if his arbitrary conduct has awakened in me a spirit of enquiry which he terms fractious, so far as I have proceeded I find ample proof that that enquiry was necessary.

I must crave your pardon for this detail, which a desire to stand justly understood could alone elicit from me. If Mr.BAILIE's animosity can sleep my recollection of it can only be revived by some further indication of it from himself. I have now finally done with him & his party.

Satisfied as I am that I shall not be found most backward in promoting the new colony's interests I venture to make some little claim on your consideration & to solicit those instructions in my behalf and will have my exertions unshaken by the jealousies of any party; on this you may depend, that I will not disgrace your patronage.

My party consists of myself, Mrs. BURNETT, one child and three domestics for whom a passage is provided in the Ocean, which from the probability of our messing with the captain, no decrease of accommodation to the settlers will accrue. On the contrary our being passengers in this vessel will I am certain contribute to the comforts of the poorer class amongst them. This arrangement will I trust meet your approbation.

I have the honour to remain Sir

Your obliged and ob't sevt.

B. BURNETT

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 718

6 Arundel St. Panton Square

27 Nov 1819

Sir,

With no other reference to the letter I addressed to you in explanation of Mr. BAILIE's conduct than to apologise for troubling you on so frivolous a subject, I beg to say that I most thankfully avail myself of your offer of letters to the authorities at the Cape of Good Hope to provide me with land nearby to the river I did myself the pleasure of detailing to you.

I have the honour to be your very obt servt

B. BURNETT