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.

PATTERSON, Robert

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 33

Ordnance Barracks

Ballyshannon

23rd July 1819

May it please your Honor

At the request of a number of Mechanics and others of the first Respectability and connections of this Town, and its vicinity, on their being information that the British Government had granted a large sum for the purpose of assisting persons of the above description to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope, I therefore most humbly beg leave to trouble your Honor on the present occasion to request your ordering to be forwarded me as soon as convenient every necessary information on this subject, such as the sum allowed to each, where the vessels are to be stationed, and at what period the emigrants are to attend to go on board, and any further information that your Honor may consider requisite so that I may communicate same to the different persons who are so anxious to emigrate to that part of the world in preference to all others and more particularly as they cannot obtain any employment, owing to the Embarrass'd state of this Country.

I am with all due respect

Your Honors most obedient humble servant

Robert PATTERSON

Ordnance Department

  • Hits: 5805