Skip to main content
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.

MACLEAN, Donald

Written by Sue Mackay on .

Filed under L

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 241

Polmaily near Inverness

May 13th 1819

My Lord

I take the liberty of addressing your Lordship, in order to be informed if there is any encouragement given to officers on the half pay, emigrating to the Cape of Good Hope or the Canadas; as from the smallness of my income I am induced to wish to better myself by emigrating, and would endeavour to make myself as useful to Government as possible.

I have served in the 16th Regt of Infantry since 1809 & if necessary would refer your Lordship to the Colonel of that Corps.

Many of my countrymen the Scotch Highlanders, on whose loyalty Government might depend; if encouraged, would be happy to accompany me.

I have the honor to be

My Lord

Your obedient humble servt

Donald MACLEAN

H. P. Lieut 16th Regt

  article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 339

Polmaily 14th Augt. 1819

near Inverness

My Lord

I have to acknowledge your Lordships communication of the 28th May, and in reply beg to say that I will accept of the grant of land at the Cape of Good Hope to the amount of five hundred acres and request an order for the same.

I have further to add that if it does not interfere with the above arrangement I propose taking out ten tradesmen, with their families, under the regulations specified in the circular - viz to lodge ten pounds for each family, and receive land to the amount of one hundred acres for each on our arrival at the Cape, a free passage being found us by his Majestys Government &c &c.

I have the honor to be

Your Lordships most obet hum servt

Donald MACLEAN

Half Pay Lieut 16th Regt

[written across the top of the page is the following notation:] No particular distinction is made in favour of officers of the Army or Navy in the grants of land.

Polmaily near Inverness

Augt. 27th 1819

My Lord

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Lordships letter 21st Augt. and beg to say that your communication of 28th of May runs as follows: "His Majesty's government can not afford you any encouragement to proceed as a settler to Canada or the Cape of Good Hope, beyond a grant of land to the amount of five hundred acres and I have to add that his Lordship considers that the latter settlement presents to a person in your situation and circumstances, superior advantages to what Canada offers like."

As I find by your Lordships printed letter of the 21st Augt. that no particular distinction is made in favour of officers of the Army in the grant of lands, I prefer the five hundred acres which your Lordship offered, as above - and request that your Lordship will have the goodness to give an order for the same at the Cape of Good Hope.

I have the honor to be

Your Lordships most obet hum servt

Donald MACLEAN

Half Pay Lieut 16th Regt

 

article_separator

 

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 394

Polmaily 13th Sept 1819

My Lord

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th Sept and in answer have to acquaint your Lordship that I have ten able bodied individuals ready to accompany me to the Cape of Good Hope & request that your Lordship will have the goodness to order a passage for them.

Any further information regarding the lodging of the money &c &c will be waited for by your Lordships

Most obt servt

D. MACLEAN

H P Lieut 16th Regt

  • Hits: 6941