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GSSA
The 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

pre 1820 Settler Correspondence before emigration

ALL the 1819 correspondence from CO48/41 through CO48/46 has been transcribed whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape. Those written by people who did become settlers, as listed in "The Settler Handbook" by M.D. Nash (Chameleon Press 1987), are labelled 1820 Settler and the names of actual settlers in the text appear in red.

CAWOOD, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 34

Leeds, 21st July 1819

My Lord,

In consequence of the alarming increase of pauperism a special committee has been appointed by the Guardians of the Poor in this Township to inquire into the causes that have produced it – and to report if necessary the best remedies for the removal of this evil. As chairman of this meeting I have presumed to address the following queries to your Lordship, which I hope you will be pleased to answer, and excuse the intrusion, as the importance of the case compels the application.

Your official circular respecting the proposed settlers at the Cape of Good Hope has reached us through the medium of the public papers – on which we would ask

  1. At what ports will the embarkation and disembarkation take place?
  2. Where can we apply to get particular information as to the utensils requisite to take out – necessaries, clothes etc?
  3. Do the engagements made in England by the poor persons, that an Adventurer takes along with him to the Cape (such as the engagement of a blacksmith to serve for three years) continue firm and binding under the Colonial Government?
  4. Can the Guardians of the Poor in this Township, which contains a population of 40,000, legally apply the money collected towards the maintenance of the poor with the aid which Government offers in supporting the Colonists at the Cape?
  5. What number of persons may we suppose will be allowed for us to send there?

 

Your Lordship's most ob't sev't

John CAWOOD

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