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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.

FRANCIS, David Polley, 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 152

13 Assembly Row

Laytonston

Essex

July 13, 1819

Sir,

As Colonel STRUTT has advised me to call upon you, I take the liberty to solicit an interview, as there is several points I wish for information upon (if I go out to the Cape of Good Hope) before I could make any arrangement for that purpose, therefore I should be extreemly obliged by a communication to say when I could have the Honor of seeing you and at what hour.

I am Sir, your obedient humble Servant

D.P. FRANCIS

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 201

26 August 1819

Sir,

I duly received your letter of the 5th Instant in which you requested me to transmit to you in writing, a memorandum of those p0ints connected with emegration to the Cape of Good Hope in which I was desirous of obtaining information upon, the reason of my not complying with that request is that I wish to give as little trouble as possible and being aware that arrangements where makeing by some persons (which I conceived more competent than myself to solicit information from Government and which I understand are or will be made public I am induced to rest entirely sattisfied with the information obtained by those means and am only anxious to assertain as early as convenient if I shall be accepted by complying with the mode Government has adopted, I have little doubt of being able to take out as many men as I wish for, from this part of the Country some with familys and all very good agreculturists. I am quite unconected with any person or meetings that have been held respecting this business and rely interely upon my early application and the recommendation of Colonel STRUTT. I have only two questions to ask, first if there will be any measure adopted by Government to secure the men taken out by individuals, that they may not be seduced from them by other persons, or whither the person taken them out must secure them himself before he leaves this country, secondly whither conveyance will be given for a small quantity of live stock.

I am Sir, your obedient humble servant

D.P. FRANCIS

Address Beckingham Hall, Maldon, Essex, where I shall be for some days

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 221

13 Assembly Rd

Laytonstone

Essex
Sept 20th 1819

Sir,

I had the honour to receive your letter of the 31st ultimo which refers me to the circular which states that the plan Government has adopted for the settlers who are allowed to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope - allso that no proposal can be accepted which is not made in conformity with that offer - it was my intention to have made a return to your department often persons -whom I had selected to proceed with me, and who are agriculture labourers as my wish is the cultivation of land being brought up a practical agriculturist though I have been for some years a ship owner and trust that I know something of mercantile concerns, this plan I have found great difficulty in carrying into effect, in as much that I find no agreement I can enter into in this country can be relyed upon with safety and advantage to both parties when arrived at the place of destination, therefore I have connected myself and party with Doctor BARUK and friends whose respectability and society I am so much attached to that I can only hope and solicit to be allowed to proceed with him, and am ready to conform to all the conditions Government may require as well as make my self of service as pointed out in Col STRUTT's introductory letter.

I have the honour to be sir, your obedient servant

D P FRANCIS

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 253

Ship East Indian

Deptford

December 24, 1819

Sir,
In consequence of the death of Henry HUNT, one of the intended settlers proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope under direction of William PARKER Esquire (who has entrusted the care of Settlers to me from London to Cork) I therefore request the Honour to be informed if any other person may not be placed in his room, of the name of William NORMAN 36 years of age, Jane his wife 33, Maria his daughter 8 years of age. There is also several others who have declined going the names of which I will produce at the Colonial Department on Monday - together with those names I propose to introduce in their room - there s allso some errors in the list which I should be obliged by having corrected - I expect the East Indian will be ready to moove down the river on Tuesday morning.

I have the Honour to be Sir, your obedient humble servant

D. P. FRANCIS

[See also correspondence of Colonel STRUTT filed under S at CO48/45, which includes the following letter to Colonel STRUTT written by David Polley FRANCIS.]

13 Assembly Row

Laytonstone

September 21st 1819

Sir,

I can only hope you will excuse the liberty I am about to take in troubling you again on the subject of emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, as it is my first wish to be allowed to proceed to that settlement. I have united my self with Dr. BARUK who is very highly recommended to Government and whose society and assistance I expect to derive great advantage from; but his advice as well as many other friends is that it would be of the first importance to me to obtain a letter of recommendation to Government to be allowed to proceed with Dr. BARUK's Party. This I have no means of obtaining from a quarter so likely to be attended with success as from yourself. I am aware your first letter was of great service to me as I have had several communications from Mr. GOULBURN on the subject, but as I have altered my plan of going out and have written to Mr. GOULBURN with Dr. BARUK's [obscured] to say so, I am led to believe that it will be of the highest consequence to be [obscured] up as above stated. As mine was one of earlyest applycations I have great hopes of being allowed to proceed and can only hope and solicit to have your assistance in this business.

I have the honour to be Sir

Your obed't humble serv't

D.P. FRANCIS

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