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.

MATHESON, Finlay

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 537

Erbersaig, Lochalsh

29th July 1819

My Lord,

Your Lordships answer of the 5th ultimo to my memorial addressed to His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief respecting emigration to His Majesty's settlements at the Cape of Good Hope I had the honour of receiving on the 19th and after reading its contents I immediately made it known to the several memorialists who indeed expressed their warmest thanks to His Royal Highness as also to your Lordship for the high respect which was shown their memorial that it was honoured with your Lordships answer, but were infinitely disappointed that the encouragement held out by Government did not suit their expectation and that they could not embrace the offer then held out.

But having seen a circular letter in the Inverness Journal of the 23rd inst from your Lordships office pointing out the terms in the clearest manner on which his Majesty's Government will send out Emigrates to the Cape of Good Hope, also the provision made for them by the British Parliament, there are a number of people here who will avail themselves of the present opportunity.

But as there was no mention made about out pensioners of Chelsea, several of that class of people in contract with me are desirious to know whither the Government has made any provision for them and whither they will get their pension paid to them in the colony as in Great Britain. Your Lordship will be graciously pleased to order that all the information which has [transpired?] with respect to out pensioners emigrating will be [sent] and if emigrates can be conveyed out this season, for which your Lordship will greatly oblige

Your Lordship's most obedient & humble servant

Finlay MATHESON

Note from GOULBURN across bottom:

Will arrangements be made for issuing in the Colony the pensions of Army Pensioners?

Write a letter similar to what was written in the case of Pensioners going to Canada recommending to the Treasury to adopt similar regulations with respect to those going to the Cape

Applicant informed accordingly

  • Hits: 6233