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.

MORTLOCK, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 706

250 Oxford Street

Set 27 1819

My Lord,

Not knowing that His Majesty's Government have any intention of sending out schoolmasters to accompany the young colony to the Cape of Good Hope, I have it in contemplation to send one out at present, humbly conceiving that proper persons of that description would prove to be highly advantageous both in a moral & economical point of view, in contributing by their advice & good conduct to further the views and comforts of the inexperienced settlers. The person I propose sending, I beg leave to say, is in all respects adapted for such an undertaking, being conversant with business generally; can erect saw mills, grist mills, bridges, lay out farms, roads &c and from his residence in the back woods of America makes him quite familiar with all the difficulties & impediments to be encountered in new settlements, and as the School Master will have to read the Church Service in place of a Minister, at least for a time, I conceive it will also be natural that he should possess proper influence in his Department, and therefore think it would be requisite he should hold a Commission of the Peace; with due deference, my Lord, may I be allowed to ask if in the event of this person going out in such a capacity, can a Commission of the Peace be granted to him, or if the Government will allow any portion of land for the use of the School, or contribute in any measure to the Erections necessary for the Establishment.

I have the honor to be, my Lord

Your Lordship's very obed't hum sev't

John MORTLOCK

  • Hits: 6366