GSSAThe 1820 Settler Correspondence
 as preserved in the National Archives, Kew
 and edited by Sue Mackay

Selected Settler Correspondence 1820 - 1837

Whereas ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46 at the National Archives), whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed. There are many other letters in later files, thought not to be written by eventual settlers. However, if an ancestor is known to have emigrated after the 1820 settlers then it might be worth looking through the rest of the correspondence, which is arranged alphabetically. The relevant files for letters written in 1820 are CO48/52 (A-L) and CO48/53 (M-Y). Later files are labelled "Original Correspondence" followed by the year, and can be found from CO48/56 (1821) to CO48/186 (1837).

Unless otherwise stated letters were written to either the Secretary of State for the Colonies or his deputy. The original correspondence is filed in order of receipt. Here it has been placed in alphabetical order according to the surname of the writer, with letters by the same writer in chronological order, for ease of reading. Original spelling has been maintained. Reference numbers, where given, refer to printed page numbers stamped on the letters and will enable visitors to the National Archives to locate the letter more easily.

MARILLIER, James William (brother of Philip Richard MARILLIER), 1837

Written by Sue Mackay.

National Archives, Kew, London CO48/187, 337

 

Harrow on the Hill
9 September 1837

My Lord,
           Trusting to your Lordship's kindness to pardon the liberty I am taking, I beg to transmit a testimonial I have obtained from Lt. Col. DUNDAS and to solicit your Lordship on behalf of my brother P.R. MARILLIER, Clerk to the Resident Magistrate of Somerset, to whom it refers. He has been ten years in the service of the Colonial Government at the Cape of Good Hope, holding for some years an appointment of £120 per an. He obtained about four years ago when considerable reductions were made, another of only £100 per an, the one he held having been reduced to £80. On this small sum he finds it impossible to maintain his family, and I trust your Lordship taking into consideration his length of service, which usually brings rather increased than diminished pay, will kindly grant him your protection. May I be allowed to add that he has always earnestly looked forward to the [measures] adopted by the present Government towards the Natives, and is very desirous of promoting their humane and enlightened views, as the letters I have received from him abundantly testify. A friend applied some months since on the subject to Lord HOLLAND, who recommended application should be made direct to your Lordship: the Rev'd Mr. CUNNINGHAM afterwards kindly undertook to lay before your Lordship the statement I made to him and other documents, and about three weeks ago he informed me he had done so but that the answer was unfavourable on account of the numerous applications. Under these circumstances I have taken the liberty of addressing myself to your Lordship and trust, my Lord, that you will not deem my application improper, and that the length of my brother's service joined to his liberal principles and earnest desire of furthering your Lordship's intentions for the benefit of the Natives will induce you to grant a favourable intention to his case.
I have the honor to be, My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant
J.W. MARILLIER

 

Draft reply to J.W. MARILLIER, near the church, Harrow, 19th September

Sir,
I am directed by Lord GLENELG to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant on behalf of your brother Mr. P.R. MARILLIER, and to acquaint you that in the present state of the Revenue of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, his Lordship regrets that he cannot hold out to you any expectation that it will be in his power to authorise an increase of that gentleman's official income.

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