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.

McKENZIE, T.H.

Filed under K

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 202

Kyleakin

By Lochalsh

17th Aug 1819

My Lord,

In consequence of the encouragement held out by Government to settlers to the Cape of Good Hope I have determined on going at the head of a colony from this island and the adjacent coast upwards of nine hundred souls signed with me last February but in consequence of some alteration in the arrangement they were disappointed in going. I have now from 40 to 50 settlers in my list of handsome stout active Highlanders and such men as will do credit to any country on whose steadiness and correct conduct I would stake my life. I hope I shall have with me several respectable gentlemen also from this country and trust that your Lordship will advise me of the number necessary to induce Government to send a ship to this country. I also beg that your Lordship would be pleased to direct that the regulations respecting the enlistment for the Cape should be sent down and to say what time it is intended that the settlers should leave this country. If it will be necessary for me to go to London to settle for the emigrants your Lordship will be pleased to say so and how soon I complete my lists I shall wait of your Lordship.

I have the honour to remain

Your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant

T.H. McKENZIE

  • Hits: 6116