Skip to main content
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.

CROWTHER, J.

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 9

Spring Garden Coffee House

London

13 July 1819

My Lord,

I will not further trespass on your time than to apologise for the liberty I am taking in addressing you and to solicit your consideration for my request. I am a Lieutenant on the Half Pay of the 1st Regiment or Royal Scots. I have served several years in India and was ordered from there on the Reduction.

I am informed that it is usual with His Majesty's Government to give officers desirous of emigrating grants of land in Canada, and as by a recent proposition of the Right Hon'le the Chancelor of the Exchequer it appears the intention of Government to assist emigration to the Cape of Good Hope. I would wish to be informed if I might obtain the indulgence of a grant of land at the Settlement. From the high respect likely of my family and connections I might have obtained the honor of an Introduction to your Lordship, but I was reluctant to name my wishes to my friends previous to ascertaining the Basis on which to rest my hopes of Success.

Waiting for the honor of an Interview will, or the favor of your Lordship's communicating [sic]

I am your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

J. CROWTHER, Lt. Royal Scots

  • Hits: 5553