The 1820 Settler Correspondence
as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
and edited by Sue Mackay

Correspondence 1821 to 1837.

Here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed, whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46) whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape.

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy.The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

CURRIE, Walter, 1824

Written by Sue Mackay on 30 November 1999.

National Archives, Kew, CO48/67, 33

Bathurst

Cape of Good Hope

10^th August 1824

My Lord,

I have the honor to enclose for your Lordship's perusal a memorial I have this day addressed to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, praying that I may be allowed to receive my half pay through the Commissariat Department in this Colony.

The present mode of getting my half pay subjects me to a loss of 18 to 20 p.ct. Your Lordship is well aware of the difficulties the settlers here have had to contend with. You will also see how ill I am able to afford such a heavy deduction from an income of only one guinea a week with a wife and three children to maintain: and as the evil may be remedied without one farthing expence to Government I therefore entreat your Lordship will be pleased to recommend the measure to the Admiralty.

I have the honor to be my Lord

Your Lordship's most obed't serv't

W. CURRIE

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