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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.

BANKS, George

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/41, 186

Leeds, 31 May 1819

My Lord,

In consequence of the introduction into this neighbourhood of machinery for finishing cloth, a great number of hands formerly engaged in shaping cloth by manual labor are now out of employment & the number is materially increased owing to the great depression in the trade which at present exists in the manufacturing districts generally.

I have been repeatedly waited upon lately by a deputation from these unfortunate men expressing very strongly their wishes to emigrate if money could be raised to send them out – they have produced a printed paper of regulations which I believe was obtained at your Lordship's office by my Lord LASCELLES & sent by him to them. This document is dated in last year & I am apprehensive from information I have received that some changes in these regulations have since been made. At the desire of these men & of the overseers of the poor of this town I am induced to trouble your Lordship to request you will cause to be transmitted to me information whether the government still continues to provide tonnage for conveying settlers out & whether provisions or any allowance for them is made or might be made under particular circumstances such for example as those attached to the present applicants - & when arrived in Canada what grant of land is made and under what conditions & whether agricultural implements & any provisions are issued to the settler on arrival by government.

The season I am affeared is too far advanced for carrying into execution this year any scheme of emigration to Canada but I could not refuse the repeated requests of the applicants who amount to 76 men with 56 wives and 161 children.

My Lord your Lordship's most obedient & most humble servant

Geo. BANKS

Mayor

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