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.

LETTIG, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

No.28 Devonshire Street

Kennington Lane

Lambeth, Surrey

July the 23rd 1819

My Lord,

Pardon the great liberty I have taken in troubling your Lordship. Having seen an advertizement in the public prints offering a passage over to the Cape of Good Hope, gift of land &c to those who wish to be settlers there, I wish to go over and to take my wife and two children with me (my trade as a shoemaker I cannot get sufficient employ at) Therefore would happily advance the ten pounds, to receive five pounds back on my arrival, & I intend to give up a small pension for that purpose. Therefore I humbly solicit your Lordship to grant me the favor of your instructions how I am to proceed to put my earnest desire into effect. Your Lordship's immediate answer to this petition will gratefully & thankfully rec'd by

Your Lordship's devoted servant

John LETTIG

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 273

No.28 Devonshire Street

Kennington Lane

Lambeth, Surrey

July 27th 1819

My Lord,

Permit me to thank your Lordship for your kindness in sending me the Government's proposals for those who chuse to settle at the Cape of Good Hope, according to my humble request. I have shewn them to several who will be very happy, with myself & family, to accept the offer, and am anxious to be examined to have my name inserted for embarkation; but I am a stranger to the knowlege where to apply for that purpose (unless to your Lordship). Therefore I beg to inform your Lordship I am a strong active young man with a wife & two children under the orders of the proposals. I am lame with one leg but no detriment to my strength or activity, besides I shall throw up my small pension to Government & only now await your Lordship's commands, where, when and how I am to proceed.

I remain your Lordship's devoted servant

John LETTIG

  • Hits: 6588