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.

McDONALD, John (2)

Written by Sue Mackay on .

Filed under D

National Archives, Kew CO48/42, 813

Kilmuir

Isle of Skye

24 October 1819

My Lord,

From motives of humanity & my affection for my countrymen I in my individual capacity tke the liberty to represent to your Lordship that several of the inhabitants of this remote island have in consequence of the late encouragement from Government upon the subject signed to emigrate to His Majesty's Colony in the Cape of Good Hope to become settlers & agriculturalists in that place. A Gentleman name Mr. John CAMPBELL having undertaken to become Agent obtained authority but to the surprise and disappointment of the poor individuals preparing emigration he would not admit any person but such as would content themselves with 50 acres of land for every settler.

The poor enslaved people being so anxious to obtain freedom consented to sign even upon the terms the said CAMPBELL had laid own but merely upon the belief that Government would direct all laid down by way of encouragement to persons desirous of going as settlers to the Cape be made good & the Agent's plans disassembled upon their arrival, particularly that setting forth 1000 acres to every ten able bodied settlers.

My request is now that your Lordship be in mercy pleased to return an answer hereto acquainting me whether our Agents or Leaders have the authority from your Department to retain for themselves one half of the grant of land pointed out for each settler, when the settlers themselves are depositing the necessary sums of money before their embarkation agreeable to rules upon the subject.

Tho' I am a stranger to your Lordship & infinitely inferior to him who might [obscured] your humble servant yet I look with [confidence?] that I shall be heard in my prayers on behalf of poor individuals of the human race who have hitherto laboured under bondage. In the event that my Lord thinks proper to order an answer to be returned the address is below subjoined. I have the honor to be my Lord

Your Lordship's most obedient & most humble servant & subject

John McDONALD

Address Mr. John McDONALD, Farmer in Kilvaxter Kilmuir Skye Portree by Inverness

  • Hits: 6320