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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.

ANDERSON, Robert, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 15/17

23 Everett St

Russell Square

21 July 1819

To the Right Hon. Lord SIDMOUTH

My Lord,

Having been for a considerable length of time out of Employment and not seeing the most distant prospect getting any in this country and my means of support being nearly exhausted and nothing but starvation or pauperism at present in view I humbly submit a wish to your Lordship to be allowed to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope under the sanction of His Majesty's Government.

Being by trade a Cabinet Maker & Carpenter I trust I should be of some service among the many desirous of emigrating who are totally unacquainted with any Mechanical trade that would act of service to them there And having no Doubt that if your Lordship will lend a favourable ear to this My Most Humble Petition I shall be enabled to comply with all the Conditions His Majesties Government may require of me for that purpose. And Humbly Submit that I might not be found an altogether unusefull instrument in forward their benign views with respect to the more uninformed class of my fellow subjects who may be inclined to emigrate. An answer will oblige.

Your Lordships Most Devoted Humble Servant

Robert ANDERSON

Direct for Robert Anderson

23 Everett St

Russell Square

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 26/27

23 Everett St

Russell Square

27 July 1819

Sir,

I Received your Printed specification of the terms upon which his Majesties Ministirs mean to act with respect to those persons who wish to Emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope and by to inform(?) you I should be very happy to enter into all the arrangements Government may wish but never having been a pauper nor having any connection with parish affairs I am not able to form a company of ten nor am I able to apply to a Parish to form that number for Me but have to beg of his Majesties Ministirs to include me in some of the numbers that have been able to muster the required quantity or if His Majesties Ministirs should think me worthy of being sent out to that Colony independent of every other person I should more fervently thank them for their Indulgence. I should wish to go out untrammelled with any other person or party and fervently think My Business in that Colony would get me a sufficient income independent of anything else if My Lord Sidmouth would allow me an Interview with his Lordship or with your self I should be able to state my reasons now at large and Explain Every thing more Explicitly than I possible can do by writing. Begging for a speedy answer

I Remain sir with the Greatest Respect

Your Most obedient Servant

Robert ANDERSON

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