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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.

ROCHE, John

Written by Sue Mackay on .

National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 488

Kingston Crescent

Portsmouth

29th July 1819

Sir,

Understanding it is the intention of His Majesty's Ministers to encourage emigration to the Cape of Good Hope and having had the honor of being at the capital of that colony early in 1806 under Sir Home POPHAM as a Lieutenant in the Navy.

I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in requesting you at your convenience to solicit from Earl BATHURST whatever proportion of land his Lordship may deem me entitled to in that country, or at New South Wales, with a passage out for myself & family, the latter consists of my wife & four children.

Should my services be of any use in promoting order amongst the colonists who may be embarked I beg leave to make an offer of them to his Lordship. I must refer him to Lord REDHILL & Admiral Sir George COCKBURN for my character as an officer.

I have the honor to remain with much respect, Sir

Your obedient humble servant

John ROCHE

Lieut. Royal Navy

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 657

Kingston Crescent

Portsmouth

15 Nov 1819

Lieutenant John ROCHE presents his respectfull compliments to Mr. GOULBURN & under the impression that he had the honor to have been a Brother Officer of Mr. GOULBURN's on board the Foudroyant on the Egyptian Expedition with Lord KEITH's flag on board, takes the liberty to solicit his influence with Earl BATHURST in order that his Lordship may be pleased to make an exception in his favor from the stipulated conditions which require a settler to lodge a certain sum of money in the hands of Government previous to his been enabled to obtain a grant of land at the colony of the Cape of Good Hope. Lieut. R trusts that Mr. GOULBURN in soliciting this favour from his Lordship will be pleased to suggest to his Lordship wheather the publick & favorable situation which Lieut. R holds in His Majesty's Navy together with his being at the Capital of that colony under Sir Home POPHAM in 1806 will not be a sufficient reason to induce his Lordship to comply with Lieut. R's request. And a proper guarantee for the fulfillment of any other engagements that a settler may become [obscured]. Lieut. R is aware of the number intended to be sent out this year been already compleated. But as it is possible that some of that number may change their intentions prior to embarkation he presumes there will not be much difficulty in obtaining room on board the vessels intended for that service, some of whom are now lying at this port.

[Note from GOULBURN at foot of page]

The no. being complete, Lord B cannot accept further proposals nor can he give any hope of diverting from established regulations on behalf of any individual, however meritorious.

 

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National Archives, Kew CO48/45, 672

Kingston Crescent

Portsmouth

8 December 1819

Sir,

Understanding it to be the intention of His Majesty's Government to establish a colony within the vicinity of the Great Fish River near the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope.

I beg leave on the event of the above statement being correct to make an offer of my services to Earl BATHURST in order to perform the duties of harbour master at that or any other river contiguous to the colony about to be established in that part of Africa. From having formerly served in one of His Majesty's gun brigs on the coast (which class of vessel from the nature of her construction is calculated to draw but a small draught of water) I had thus many opportunities afforded me of knowing many of the dangerous bays & [??heads] in the neighbourhood and from the little experience which I have acquired on that station I can safely aver that an officer of the above description will be most urgently required for the better conducting of ships of any description to and from any anchorage nearest to the [obscured] and not having the honor to be personally known to his Lordship be leave to submit the enclosed testimonial of services for his Lordship's perusal which I shall thank you to return to me at your convenience.

I am Sir with great respect

Your obedient servant

John ROCHE

Lieut. RN

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