ELLIS, H. re D.P. FRANCIS, 1824

Written by Sue Mackay on .

Custom House

Nov 10 1824

Dear HORTON,

I have lately seen a Mr. FRANCIS a settler late returned from the Cape and his account of the reduced population of the Zuurveld in consequence of the mechanics having found employment in other parts of the Colony has suggested to me the following plan.

That as few of those originally located have established claims for titles to their lands, a new distribution more adapted to the colonial agriculture should be made, and about 3000 acres should at once be granted to such individuals as shall prove they have ten individuals English colonists in their employment. By this means a population will be kept in that very important frontier and the original plan of Gov. will in a [neat?] degree be carried into effect, notwithstanding all the visitations of the farms &c I feel assured that a [obscured] good has been done in the colony by the measure of 1820.

[? Yrs?]

H. ELLIS