Skip to main content
GSSA
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.

HART, William Junior, 1827

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/114, 292

North Street, Lambeth

15th July 1827

Sir,

I beg leave to enclose a copy of a letter addressed to my father at the Cape of Good Hope wherein Earl BATHURST promised a free passage to our family in England, but as no part of them at present except myself have a desire to go to that colony I should feel most particularly indebted by your granting me the favour of a free passage to join my Father at the Cape of Good Hope in about a month from the present time.

I have the Honor to be Sir,

Your most obedt. humble servt.

William HART junr.

[Colonial Office note on reverse]

If the enclosed be a true copy of Mr. HORTON's letter and Mr. HART be really the person he represents himself to be – a passage to the Cape must be provided for him, but I am at a loss to know how the expense is to be defrayed.

294 [attached to above]

Copy

Downing Street,

London

26th Sept. 1824

Sir,

I am directed by Earl BATHURST to acquaint you that the Commissioners of enquiry having communicated to His Lordship the memorials which you presented to them at the Cape of Good Hope setting forth your distressed situation from the disappointments and loss you have sustained as an emigrant settler and state that your inability either to return to your family in England or to provide the means of enabling them to join you in South Africa, His Lordship has been induced, [obscured in fold] the special recommendation of the Commissioners to accede your request, that your family may be provided with a passage to the Cape at the public expense, and directions will be given for that purpose as soon as his Lordship is made acquainted with the address of your family, whom the commissioners state are to be directed by you to make application to the Colonial Office.

I am &c &c

R. W. HORTON

To : Mr Wm. HART

No. 1 John Street,

Cape Town

  • Hits: 5729