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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.

PRINGLE, Thomas, 1828

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 383

18 Aldermanbury

July 7 1828

Sir,

In taking the liberty to transmit to you the little volume which accompanies this I beg to state my object is to interest your attention in regard to the treatment and pursuant condition of the aboriginal tribes of Southern Africa – respecting whom you will find some cursory notices in the prose notes at the end of the volume.

On this subject and also with regard to some matters connected with the appointment of the clergyman to the Scottish settlers at Baviaans River who emigrated in 1820 under my direction, I am anxious to converse with you if you can conveniently indulge me with the privilege of a quarter of an hour  on any early day.  You are probably aware that the Mr.Fowell BUXTON is to bring the situation of the Hottentot population into the notice of parliament Tuesday next.

I have the honour to be your most obedient servant

Thomas PRINGLE

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 385

London 18 Aldermanbury

July 26 1828

Sir, 

The Rev W PEARS, the gentleman recently appointed minister of the Scotch Church at Baviaans River, Cape of Good Hope, in a letter which I have just received from him, requests me to state to you that the sudden death of a sister who was to have accompanied him to South Africa, and to whom he was extremely attached, has affected his feelings and disconcerted his arrangements, that it will not be possible for him, without extreme inconvenience, to embark before the 1st week of October. He therefore, most respectfully & earnestly requests that you will, if possible, so order matters in regard to his proposition that he may not be required to embark before the period I have mentioned.  By that period he will be away without fail.

Permit me to solicit your obliging attention to his request (which I am well aware is not proffered without urgent cause) & by the favour of an early reply in order to set Rev PEARS' mind at rest on the subject.

I have the honour to be your most obedient servant

Thomas PRINGLE

[Colonial office note across corner for reply: Acq't the Navy Board with the time when a Passage for Mr. PEARS will be wanted & let Mr. PRINGLE be informed that his application will be attended to]

 

 

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National Archives, Kew, CO48/127, 387

18 Aldermanbury

Sept 13 1828

Sir,

I have received a letter from the Rev W PEARS requesting to be informed as precisely as may be practicable of the time when it will be necessary for him to be in London in order to embark in the vessel where government has provided him a passage. He understands of course, from your last letter which has been transmitted to him, that he is to embark in the course of October, and noted himself in readiness to appear here whenever I inform him of the vessel being in readiness but is unwilling to leave his relatives sooner than may be requisite.

I feel reluctant to trouble you with such small matters but know of no other way of obtaining the information Rev PEARS desires.  Perhaps you will be so obliging as direct one of your clerks to make the requisite inquiring about the probable period of the vessel sailing in which  passage  has been engaged for him – and to write a short note communicating this information, the name of the vessel and the Master or agent.

I have the honour to be your most obedient servant

Thomas PRINGLE

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