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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.

FISHER, George

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 125

Liverpool

24 July 1819

My Lord

On the 17th inst I stated my situation here to the R't Hon. N. VANSITTART and offered my services in the formation of the intended Colony at the Cape. I am since informed by his directions that all applications are to be made through your department. I therefore now respectfully repeat my offer to your Lordship and beg leave to inform you that I am 42 years of age with a wife & 2 children, am a native of Whitehaven Cumberland, but for the last 20 years have been a resident in Liverpool, as a ship owner and in the general mercantile trade of the port; in March last I became unfortunate from circumstances not in my own control, viz. the misconduct of a ship master in my brig the Friendship, who on a voyage to Demerara in 1817, wilfully broke a charter party by running away with the vessel and cargo which latter he sold and squandered, but for which I became responsible in the sum of £2100.

I beg leave to state that with the qualities and value of most articles of foreign and domestic produce I am well acquainted and may command a small sum of money, or not exceeding £100, should you therefore have any occasion for the assistance of such a person as myself. I should have no objection to join your intended colony, or engage in it, for any trust that may be confided to me I could give sufficient security, as well as satisfactory testimonials as to character etc.

I therefore respectfully solicit your Lordship will inform me if I am one of those your plan will embrace; from the public newspapers I observe that every person who takes out 10 persons or families, is to have 100 acres of land for each person, to have a passage out, and victualed free of expense, but as no other particular is mentioned, or how they are further to proceed on arrival, or be provided with stock, stores or implements, I take the liberty of soliciting information on this or any other details that may be necessary on the subject.

I am with the greatest respect My Lord

Your Lordship's most obed't h'ble serv't

George FISHER

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