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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.

FERGUSON, William

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 244

Dundee

25th October 1819

My Lord,

Circumstances rendered it impossible for me to leave this Kingdom at the time intimation was given of the desire of Government to send out emigrants to the Cape of Good Hope. I trust I am not now too late in my application notwithstanding the numerous petitions that have been presented to your Lordship on that head, particularly as I am informed that a small proportion has been from this part of the Kingdom and I have no doubt that your Lordship wishes to allow all parts of the Kingdom an equal proportion. Permit me then my Lord to enquire when and where freight may be expected for emigrants to that colony and (as it cannot be supposed to be this port) whether Government pays the conveyance of luggage to the place of shipment, what quantity is allowed for each individual or family, whether the place intended for emigrants is in the vicinity of Saldanah Bay and whether legal agreements made in this country will be held binding on arrival at the Cape.

I beg the favour of your Lordship's answer

My Lord your most obed hble sevt

Wm. FERGUSON

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