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.

TOLMÉ, Murdoch

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 74

Dunvegan

Isle of Skye

10th August 1819

My Lord,

I have the honour to address your Lordship on the subject of a Circular Letter lately issued from your Department relative to persons wishing to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope and Have in consequence to inform your Lordship that their are from thirty to one hundred families in this and the adjacent isles who are desirous to avail themselves of the very liberal terms which are offered by Government. There are, however, some further particulars with which they wish to be made acquainted, such as a previous knowledge of the particular district in which they are to be settled and whether, in the event that Government approve of their situation, transports would be sent to this quarter to take them away. Should their proposals take effect I propose to accompany them, but would wish in the meantime to be pointedly informed which terms or encouragement will be given to myself & how I am to enforce [payment?] of my advances to Government from the settlers on [or] after arrival? From this I hold in view that I should advance most of the deposit money as the people are poor in general.

They are all Protestants of decent morals, bred to husbandry, fishing & the rearing of [sheep] and black cattle.

Should this proposal meet your Lordship's attention so far as to honor me with a favorable reply I shall thereafter make references which I hope will satisfy your Lordship as to my character and qualifications. I have the honor to be my Lord

Yr Lordships most ob hb svt

Murdoch TOLMÉ

  • Hits: 4775