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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.

EMRIE, W

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 31

Jersey

28 July 1819

My Lord

Understanding it to be the intention of Government, to establish a settlement to the S.E. and within the boundries of the Cape of Good Hope.

Should your Lordship be in want of a person as a Deputy Storekeeper, clerk, or assistant surveyor, I beg to offer myself as a candidate for such appointment, and hope that a service of more than 16 years in the Navy, nearly 13 of them as Purser, may give me some claims to your Lordship's attention: and should your Lordship be pleased to consider me eligible for a situation of that nature, I will produce for your Lordship's satisfaction the most unequivocal testimonials from the Captains with whom I have sailed, and also letters from the Mercantile House by whom I have been employed as Supercargo since I have been on half-pay. The affairs of a colony, in not a very advanced state; are not altogether new to me, having been Purser of the Crocodile with Commodore COLUMBINE when he was governor of Sierra Leone in 1810 & 1811 and by him frequently employed in the Colonial office.

For my wife, children, and an agricultural servant or two which I should beg might be allowed to accompany, or follow me to the Colony; I should propose making the same deposit as other settlers going to the same place. Being informed there are printed regulations or conditions relative to emigrating to the Cape, if it is not contrary to the rules of Office may I beg a copy of them.

I have the honor to be My Lord

Your Lordship's most obedient servant

W. EMRIE

Purser, Royal Navy

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