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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.

FENNER, William

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 121

Ingatestone

23 July 1819

My Lord,

Anxious to become a settler in the projected new colony at the Cape I beg leave to submit a few questions to your Lordship which I trust will not be too troublesome to you to answer nor too improper for me to ask. If I advance the stipulated sum for any number of Men will the grant of the proportional quantity of land be to me or each individual separately, is it expected when there they should render me assistance and be under my direction in bringing the ground into cultivation. What are the productions of the Colony. Animal Vegetable and Mineral. What encouragement will be given to the settlers in stock, plants, seeds, implements &c. What is the distance from Cape Town. What kind of cultivation it would be most proper to adopt. What proportions the price of manufactured goods bears at the Cape to the price at home. Whether the accommodation on board the transports would suit people in the middle class or whether it is only adapted for the lower order of labourers and when would be the proper time to emigrate. Should I have neglected to ask for any information that it may be essential for me to know I would beg of your Lordship not to withhold it in the communication with which you may be pleased to honour me

I am my Lord

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

William E. FENNER

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/43, 239

Ingatestone

17 Oct 1819

My Lord,

As the period of emigration to the Cape is drawing near I presume to trouble your Lordship on the subject. I am ready with a party to enter into the conditions proposed by Government but as I am ignorant of official forms I must solicit the favour of instructions as to the manner in which I am to carry my intentions into effect. The whole of the early part of my life was devoted to agricultural products in the County of Suffolk consequently the Norfolk System is quite familiar to me. I have obtained all the information I can from private quarters to enable me to form a proper judgement as to the success of the undertaking and have every reason to believe that I may be able when settled there to obtain by steady application and persevering industry every reward that reason justifies me in expecting. Awaiting your Lordship's answer which will much oblige

Your Lordship's most hble sevt

W.E. FENNER

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