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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.

BAGOT, Robert Wood, 1820 Settler

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 506

16th September 1819

My Lord,

I trust your Lordship will pardon the liberty I take in addressing a letter to you, but since Government determined on sending settlers to the Cape of Good Hope it has been my most anxious wish to go there with my family, for which purpose I have obtained His Royal Highness the Prince Regent's leave. My next step was to raise sufficient sum of money for the purpose, but all my efforts in that way having failed, I presume to apply to your Lordship, as my last resource. One hundred pounds is all I require to put my intentions into execution, which if your Lordship will be kindly pleased to let me have you will confer a lasting obligation on me, and any mode of payment that you may think fit to point out that comes within my power shall be adopted. The method I propose is by my Half Pay, which shall be lodged by Messrs. GREENWOOD, COX & COX at any place your Lordship may think proper for the liquidation of the loan I require, in addition to which, should it be thought necessary, I would have my life insured to prevent the possibility of any loss in case of my death. I am well aware that I have no claim whatever on your Lordship, but my having been twice at the Cape, and knowing the Colony, joined to the knowledge I have of agriculture, makes me feel sanguine of the prospect of providing for a large family, which I (cannot do?) in this country. I will not trespass further on your Lordship's time but trusting to your goodness

I have the honour to be

Your Lordship's most obt humble sevt

Robt.Wood BAGOT

Captain HM 47th Reg't

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