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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.

RUSS, Joseph

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 462

Tovill nr Maidstone

Kent

July 23rd 1819

Sir,

Having many applications in the neighbourhood in which I live from poor labourers and mechanics requesting information about the offer of government to send them out to the Cape of Good Hope I should feel greatly obliged by having the following questions replied to that I may be enabled to satisfy their enquiries, preventing them the expence of a journey to London & giving trouble at the office.

On what part of the coast of Africa would the colony be established. How soon would it be necessary for them to prepare to embark. Might a certain tonnage be allowed to a given number for the purpose of receiving articles necessary for establishing them in the settlement. On their arrival at the Cape would they be left to themselves or forwarded to their places of settlement under the inspection of the Government there.

The interest I feel for the parties in question will I trust be an excuse for the trouble I now give.

I remain Sir

Your most obed't serv't

Joseph RUSS

Should I be favored with an answer in the course of a week I should request it is addressed to 34 Arundel Street, Strand

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