CO48/61 National Archives, Kew, London  ~   Selected Settler Correspondence for 1823

 

Transcribed by volunteers from the ZA-IB and ZA-EC Rootsweb mailing lists from digital photographs taken by Sue Mackay at the National Archives. 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.

 

Letters were either addressed to Lord BATHURST, Secretary of State for the Colonies, (starting My Lord), or to his deputy Robert WILMOT-HORTON (starting Sir). 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. If a page number is not given then the date of the letter will give a good idea of its whereabouts in the file.

 

ALL the 1819 correspondence was transcribed (see CO48/41 through CO48/46) whether or not the writers emigrated to the Cape, and the names of actual settlers appeared in red. Here only letters by known settlers or their families, or letters of great relevance to the 1820 settlers, have been transcribed, therefore no colour distinction has been used. In many cases further letters by the correspondents below are filed with the 1819/1820 correspondence.

 

BIDDULPH, Edward (son of Simon BIDDULPH)

 

204

1 York Place

Dammant Hill

Camberwell

25 Aug 1823

 Copy sent to Major JONES

 

 My Lord

            Impressed with a high sense of the Justice of His Majesty's Government I appeal with confidence to your Lordship as presiding over the department of the British Colonies on the behalf of my aged Father who has suffered much cruelty and injustice from Major JONES, the Landdrost or Magistrate for the District of Albany at the Cape of Good Hope.

I am the more induced to take this step of representing to your Lordship the improper conduct of the Landdrost, as almost every Englishman looks upon you as the Foster Father of the new settlement. To you therefore My Lord I appeal not only in the name of an injured Parent but also on the behalf of Public Justice, claim your Lordships protection of the Laws and Liberties of our Country trusting that the high authority with which you are invested (and which you have ever exercised to the honour and prosperity of His Majesty's Colonies) will be sufficient [paper folded at edge] furnish the partial and unjust Judg [paper folded at edge] to succour the poor and oppressed.

            For your Lordship's information [image cut off at bottom of page] truth of whose statement has been corroborated by disinterested individuals.

Copy

"Some months ago when my cattle were kraaled for the night they were joined by 8 strong oxen, and as it was late we thought it best to put them into the Fold with our own, to prevent them trespassing upon our neighbours garden, however the strong oxen in a short time broke out and part of our own cows with them into the adjoining garden, which had no fence whatever around it to prevent trespass - Fortunately there was little or no damage done. The cattle were driven out immediately by the Constable, who gave them up to us without claiming any sum of money, either for damage or poundage, but a few days after he came and demanded 26 Rix Dollars and 2 Shillings, being poundage charged at 14 Shillings, (= to 7 Shillings) a head. My Father thinking it a great imposition, a fifth of the real value of the beasts, (whereas in parts of England six pence only can be charged a head for poundage) and also 8 of them not belonging to us, refused to pay it - no notice was taken of the business for a length of time when the Constable came again and said that if we would pay his fee of 6d a head he would overlook the other charge, we offered to pay [for] for our own 7 cows which he refused to take and said he would summons my father for the whole [amount] which summons was served by him on the 2 Novr 1822 to appear before the Landdrost and Court of Heemraden on the 5th of Novr which was attended to; when the Secretary informed my Father of the charge against him, he replied Gentleman "I refused to pay the amount because I considered it exorbitant, and I beg to know what are the laws in force with respect to poundage". Major JONES the Landdrost answered that if he came into a foreign country he must abide by the laws without the Courts informing him what they were. The Court was then cleared - in a short time my Father was called in, when the Secretary said Mr BIDDULPH the Court condemns you to pay the Constables claim of 26 Rix Dollars and 2 Shillings and the costs of this action - this was done without their hearing a word from my Father in his defence for when he wished to state the grounds of his objections to the summons, he was silenced by the Court who said they had nothing to do with his Objections - My Father then said, Gentleman I refuse to pay and you will act as you think proper (these were his exact words) Major JONES immediately flew into a passion and cried out this is contempt of Court, what is the Law in this case - My Father replied Gentleman, I am sorry you have taken it in this light for I did not mean any Contempt of Court and I hope you will consider this a sufficient apology - The Court was then cleared but in a few minutes My Father was called in again and told by the Secretary that the Court had condemned him to 8 days imprisonment - my Father answered very well and requested he might have a copy of the proceedings on the 12 Novr. Our poor old Father at the age of sixty five was sent to prison at Grahamstown nearly 40 miles from his residence - 7 days after the condemnation, and 7 days before the time allowed by the Dutch Law which grants to every man 14 days and in some cases 21 days after sentence is past, he was kept 8 days in the same cell with criminals condemned for robbery and murder, on the same allowance of provisions, without any bed and was not permitted to see any person without the special order of the Secretary.”

            Thus far My Lord is written by my Brother who attended my Father at his trial, if it Can be called by that name - but a Sister who is married at Cape Town writes that upon her husband receiving the above account together with the copy of the proceedings desiring him to take the opinion of the most eminent Lawyers, in a few hours he not only obtained opinion of the professional men but also that of some of the first men in power whose united advice was that my Father should immediately bring an action against the Landdrost and the Court, for as they had transgressed the Law and far exceeded their authority, they had no doubt that he would recover heavy damages - This advice was sent to my Father, but as it would be necessary for him to go to Cape Town to carry on the prosecution, a distance upwards of 600 miles he gave up all hope of redress, for besides the fatigue of such a journey he did not have the pecuniary means even to commence an action. For to pay the fine and then still more exorbitant costs of the Court, in which they had condemned him, he was obliged to sell almost the whole of his stock to the first bidder and thus did the malice of an iniquitous Judge become still more oppressive by condemning his whole family to penury and distress almost to the wanting the common necessaries of life just at the time when they were beginning to rejoice over the struggles they had made to taste the sweets arising from the persevering industry.

            Having thus shown to your Lordship an instance of tyrannical perversion and mal administration of the laws in the district of Albany and of our utter inability to seek for redress by the common mode of procedure in the Courts - I trust that we shall find it in the Justice and Humanity of the Government at home whose real interest it must ever be to preserve unbroken by oppression the free spirit of our Nation in its Colonies.

I have the honour to subscribe myself with the utmost respect

Your Lordship's Obt Hbl St

Edward BIDDULPH

Lieut RN

 

207

No 1 York Place Camberwell

9 Sept 1823

Sir

            I have the Honour to acknowledge the favour of your letter and to state in reply that it was a mistake of mine in copying my brothers letter when I wrote  about the summons for my Father to appear before the Landdrost which was on the 2nd Nov 1822. It should be read 1821 for the whole of the affair transpired in that year, and Major JONES is directly stated as being the Landdrost, and so gross was the abuse of the power with which he was entrusted that even in India and the Isle of France where I was in 1822 I heard rumours of the cruel treatment and injustice which my Father suffered from him and so notorious was the affair, that I have been informed that it appeared in some of the newspapers, but I can safely affirm and pledge myself that it was not put in by my Father or anyone connected with him - for we solely trust to the humanity and justice of His Majestys Government for redress

I have the honour to be Sir with great Respect

Your Obt Hub Sr

Edward BIDDULPH

Lieut R N

 

BULLOCK, Nancy (mother of William BULLOCK)

 

209

[To Sir Robert PEEL]

Willenhall Turnpike Gate

Wolverhampton

September 14 1823

Honoured Sir,

                        I Nancy BULLOCK, widow of Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, do most humbly beg leave to make the under inquiry, at the same time stating my reasons for thus far troubling your honourable office on this subject. The first object is a good proper is left him and as I am a very infirm old woman I should be very glad to know if he is living or not. I humbly implore your assistance in this instance and should I discover him or should there be any expence incurred it will be readily paid by me.           

Name ~ William BULLOCK, born at Tettenhall, left England four years last August with an intention to go to the Cape of Hope as a resident there and as not been hearing of since was aged 21 years, 5 ft 8 ins high darkish complexion dark hair grey eyes

Your answer with all information will be thankfully received by, Hon’d Sir

Your very humble servant

Nancy BULLOCK

 

BULLOCK, Solomon (brother of William BULLOCK)

Willenhall Turnpike Gate

Near Wolverhampton

Staffordshire

November 11th 1823

Honoured Sir,

                        Allow me to resent you with a copy of a letter I have received from the Colonial Office on the subject of my brother’s situation as a settler at the Cape of Good Hope

Colonial Office London

October 1823

Mrs. N. BULLOCK is hereby informed in answer to her letter of the 2nd instant that any letter she may think it necessary to address to her son will be forwarded to the Cape of Good Hope if sent by her in the first instance to the Secretary of State’s Office, Colonial Department London under Cover, directed to R. WILMOT-HORTON Esq and she is also informed that it would be advisable that the direction on the cover of her letter to her son the name of the person who was head of the party with which her son went to the Cape of Good Hope.

 

            My only motive in stating the above is that we as parties concerned cannot tell who was the head of the party at the time he went out. Could you be of service (as his mother is since dead) it would be most thankfully received and be gratefully remembered. Should any expence be incurred that might facilitate the discovery of William BULLOCK the same would be [obscured] you through the hands of Sir John WROTTESLEY MP for the County of Stafford. As under is a description of him as far as we can give it.

William BULLOCK

Born at Tettenhall Staffordshire

Left England four years the 2nd of August last with an intention to go to the Cape of Good Hope

Aged 21 years

5 feet 8 inches high, darkish complexion. grey eyes, dark hair

Your consideration of this statement and forwarding the letter to the Cape of Good Hope will oblige, Hon Sir

Your obliged and humble servant

Solomon BULLOCK

 

JARMAN, M.A. (mother of Thomas JARMAN)

 

297

No.43 Half Moon Street

Bishopsgate St

July 16th 1823

Sir,

            I should not have presumed to address you had I been aware of any other mode of obtaining information, the anxious feelings of a mother will it is hoped be an excuse for this liberty.

            My son Thomas JARMAN arrived at the Cape May 1820. he went with COX’s Party by the Weymouth, Cap’t TURNER. I rec’d answers to several letters but since last August have not heard from him.

            I was told by a person lately arrived from the Cape that the Post Master at that place had been accused of keeping the letters. Fearing this might be the case, and not knowing what plan to adopt, my uneasiness being further increased by reports that the settlers were in a state of starvation, I am induced to entreat the favour of your Lordship’s direction, and humbly hope the application will not be deemed an [obscured] on that respect which is due to your Lordship’s rank and station.

I am Sir with great respect

Your humble petitioner

M.A. JARMAN

 

PIGOT, George

 

410

Albany

June 20th 1823

Sir,

            I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th Dec 1822 in answer to my communication to Earl BATHURST of 27th August, in which I stated the alarm of the settlers at the Caffres being invited into the settlement, assembling at Mr. MAHONY’s, Mr.BROWN’s and Mr. STUBBS locations, close on this side the Fish River’s bank, to barter with Government for Ivory; before closing my letter I was enabled to state the fact of the murders of Mr. MAHONY’s servants the result of that traffic.

            In the month of May last they were again invited to the same place for the same purpose, and extraordinary as it may appear the same week I received your answer to my original complaint the Caffres produced only two teeth to the Government agents, as Government gave them only red clay in return, but they told STUBBS (who was in the habit of constant intercourse with them) that they had plenty of ivory at hand. STUBBS with some others met them accordingly and was in the act of procuring ivory and cattle in exchange for wire, beads &c when some Hottentots by the direction of the Officer commanding at the Post seized the cattle and ivory with two boys (STUBBS’ sons) and took them to Graham’s Town. The Caffres, considering that this was a trick of STUBBS to get the cattle before they had completed their bargain, murdered him. He was the head of a party, had been particularly industrious, and has left a wife and several young children.

            I do not mean to vindicate STUBBS for trading contrary to orders, but how discouraging to see exertions to have these barbarians brought amongst us, in opposition to our wishes and remonstrances.

            In the faith that the British Government would [obscured] me more protected, I have established myself in a way that would not disgrace a settlement of many years standing; having done so, it is out of my power to quit the country. Sir Rufane DONKIN intended establishing a fair for the colonists but as it was to have been held on the Keiskamma, the Caffres could not then have lingered in the woods, as there is a fine open country between it and the Fish River, which if inhabited could effectively protect itself and the country in its rear.

            In March last I transmitted to Earl BATHURST a duplicate of a statement of the settlers to the British Government* which, with the original that was signed by two hundred of the principal settlers, I hope arrived safe. I trust my sentiments are sufficiently known at the Colonial Office to satisfy them that I would not sign any statement that was not correct, loyal, respectful and moderate, and I beg it may not go unobserved that persons of the description of Mr. PARKER, Mr. BURNETT &c have not been permitted to sign this statement. As in your letter of the 20th Dec you refer to the new Levy I will state a few facts concerning it, gathered from my close intercourse with the persons called on to enrol. Had conciliating measures been resorted to every man would have entered, this I can vouch for, from having myself sworn in two hundred; it was the general feeling that they were willing to take the new oath of allegiance and to serve for the defence of the District, but they objected to the oath as it was worded, the violent measures taken to enforce the oath and the insults offered to half pay officers made the measures obnoxious and has driven many of the settlers out of the District, among whom were most of my party, after my having built their houses and kept together at great expence for three years.

            Since writing the above I have received a letter from my brother on the subject of quit rents paid by the Boers, which he did not sufficiently understand to explain [obscured]. A Dutch Boer’s farm contains from four to six hundred acres of land for which he pays from twenty to one hundred rix dollars quit rent. Lord BATHURST’s circular letter to the settlers states that they are not to pay more than two pounds (which at the present rate of exchange is twenty five rix dollars) for every hundred acres, consequently a farm of two thousand acres, which is as large a portion as any of the settlers enjoy, the quit rent would amount to five hundred rix dollars.

            As our titles have not yet been given to us we cannot say how much of this quit rent will be required, but we are naturally very anxious on the subject, particularly as a small grant given to me by Sir Rufane DONKIN of 92 acres (the only instance of the quit rent being known) is charged twenty rix dollars. Small as this sum may appear in England, it is quite unreasonable here, where we have no other prospect than following the Dutch Boer’s system (which has been so much abused) of grazing farms; for I am fully convinced by experience we can never grow grain to any extent, and even if the climate would permit it the present high price of wages would effectually prevent us.

            With respect to the slaves I named to my brother the Landdrost, the Secretary and District Clerk as employing them, merely as persons immediately connected with the settlers, but every shop keeper or fresh resident from Cape Town bring their slaves; the old Dutch inhabitants of the District of course have them.

            My brother mentions that you told him you thought we ought to have a preference in receiving prize slaves as apprentices; this would indeed be a great thing for us, but if we had also a preference in engaging Hottentots it would in a great measure make up for the want of slaves. I hope you will excuse my suggesting to you a plan for distributing these prize slaves.

            The heads of parties consisted of two classes, one who brought out articles servants, the other merely a nominal head, the party being perfectly independent having paid their own deposits. As the first class in principal suffers from the loss of their servants, I submit that they should receive prize slaves in proportion to the number of articled servants they brought out, for I assure you it is this class of person that has suffered and is still suffering from the repeated losses we have sustained. As well as the want of an acknowledged gradation in [obscured] for the natural effect of a Government of this sort must be to place every one on a level, except the supreme head or his chief magistrate the Landdrost of the District.

            I continue to be as partial to the country and climate as ever, and I have no doubt of ultimate success. I am convinced I could not have established myself in any of the other British Colonies at so easy a rate as I have done here, although I have expended several thousand pounds. I am now turning my attention to sheep and Spanish wool, which I am persuaded may be grown to any extent, we only want a direct communication from England to the mouth of the Cowie, if one ship in the year would visit us; it would be a stimulus for our exertions.

            I hope there is nothing in this letter that can be construed into disaffection to the Government, which believe me is far from my principles. The proximity of my residence to the spot where these murders have been committed and the welfare of the poor people around me compelled me to make mention of it.

            I am much obliged to you for your promise to my brother to write to Mr. [MIGG?] on my behalf. I shall be most happy to give him any information with respect to the new settlement which my local knowledge may enable me to do.

I have the honor to be Sir

Your most obed’t servant

Geo. PIGOT

 

*Transcriber’s Note: George PIGOT’s transcription of the statement is filed in CO48/61, as is the original document with the original signatures (see transcription below under Settler Statement)

 

PIGOT, Richard (brother of George PIGOT)

 

407

11 Percy Street

Bedford Sq

March 22nd 1823

Sir,

            I beg leave to solicit your intercession on the behalf of my brother Mr. George PIGOT, a settler in the District of Albany, Cape of Good Hope, whose unwearied labours in the settlement Sir R. DONKIN late Governor and Mr. Charles ELLIS late Deputy Colonial Secretary can testify, both these gentlemen being in this country.

            At his earnest request I did myself the honor of applying to you on Wednesday last for another Party to be sent to him at the expence of Govern’t, but as you gave me to understand there was no hopes of success it is my intention to send him some apprentices and beg you will be pleased to point out to me how such indentures are to be drawn up, sufficiently binding to both parties, so as to enable me to obviate the difficulty that arises in his absence; in which case whether the Gov’t will grant land in the same proportion as to the settlers that went out in 1820, but with the advantage of paying the same quit rent the Dutch farmers do for such grants?

            My brother is very desirous of [acquiring?] a house in Graham’s Town as his [obscured] avocations oblige him to be there frequently, being one of the Hemraaden, and should there be no objection to his having a small spot [granted] to him for that purpose I beg you will be pleased to use your interest with the Colonial Gov’t.

            Mr. PIGOT states in Sept. 1822 the disadvantages which he and the other settlers labour under, by the Dutch that have grants of land in the District of Albany employing slaves; and specifies the Landrost, his Secretary and his Clerk among others; this enables them to undersell the settlers in produce, they being prohibited from employing slaves. The period of servitude agreed upon by the settlers with their parties will expire in May next [obscured] this hardship will be more severely felt by them as the price of labour from 4s 6d to 5 shillings per diem.

            Mr. PIGOT refers in his letters to traffic that is established by the late Gov’t with the Caffers (upon the Fish River at Mr. MAHONY’s location amidst the settlers and seven miles from my brother’s house) in the sale of raddle to paint themselves with, in lieu of which they had brought an elephant’s tooth; this keeps them in constant alarm for their lives and property. Two servants of Mr. MAHONY’s were murdered by them, and they have driven away all the cattle in the neighbourhood. Mr. PIGOT mentions having lost but six - in his letter of the 13th Oct last he says a third man has been murdered.            I must now intreat Sir that these statements may not be construed into complaints, for I do assure you my brother speaks of the assistance rendered him and all the settlers by Gov’t with gratitude and respect, nor would these apparent trifling difficulties be intruded on your time if it was not from the magnitude they now are arrived at.

            The servitude of the parties having nearly terminated, each individual will hire himself in that district where he can obtain the best pay, which will leave the settlers on the Frontier in a more defenceless state.

            Having commanded the 21st Rgt. Lt. Dragoons at the Cape of Good Hope, I am well acquainted with the habits of these Barbarians and the precautions necessary to adopt for the protection of the Frontier.

I have the honor to be Sir

Your most obed’t servant

Rich’d PIGOT

Major General

 

SCOTT, Katherine (mother of George SCOTT)

 

452

No.2 Wintropp Street

Cork

Ireland

May 5th 1823

[The petition of Katharine SCOTT] widow

Sheweth

That your memorialist is a poor widow who intirely depended on her son for her support in her old age, Mr. George SCOTT, son of the late Mr. SCOTT Barrack Master at Sheerness, who went out settler to Algoa Bay in November 1819. Your memorialist sent him five hundred pounds to enable him to cultivate the grant of land given to him by Government - he sunk a thousand pounds in the undertaking, all of which he lost - he had thirty seven men, women and children to support – three years the crops failed, which caused his utter ruin – his mind and body could not see his hopes crushed without acutely feeling – he nearly lost his senses – sickened and died with a broken heart and left your memorialist in want – infirm and sickly – she was to have gone to him – it was on that account she advanced her all, which deprives her of the means of support. Thus situated your memorialist can only hope your Lordship will be graciously pleased to take her truly forlorn situation into favorable consideration and grant her some relief – she is now pining on a sickbed – almost starving in daily fear of being drove into the poorhouse – she trusts this appeal to your Lordships humanity will not be made in vain. Your memorialist will ever pray as in duty bound

Katharine SCOTT

 

SETTLER STATEMENT

 

401

Grahamstown

March 10th 1823

 

            The subscribing colonists in South Africa who emigrated in the year 1819 under the patronage of their native Government are compelled by a sense of justice to themselves and duty to the Government under whose auspices they embarked to lay before your Lordship a statement of the real circumstances which have prevented their advancement.

            Whatever may have been the individual disappointments incidental to so numerous an emigration, they do not present themselves before his Majesty’s Government with any complaint of the natural disadvantages of the country to which they have been sent; and they have ever been actuated by one undivided feeling of respect and gratitude for the liberal assistance of the British Government, a feeling which future reverses can never efface. And they most gratefully recognise an additional instance of the same favourable disposition in the late modification of the colony’s law of succession; which they hail as a pledge that their interests (when not opposed to that of their fellow subjects) will never be lost sight of by His Majesty’s ministers.

            Although the settlers must lament that in its earlier stages the prosperity of the settlement has been checked in several important instances through the misapprehensions of the general or local authorities, yet they gratefully acknowledge the prompt and generous exertions of government in procuring the means of subsistence at the commencement of the settlement and in alleviating as far as possible the severe visitations of repeated and total failures of their wheat crops.

            They cannot omit the expression of their particular gratitude to the acting Governor, Sir Rufane DONKIN, who devoted to their prosperity a great share of his personal attention; to whom they owed the establishment of a town in the centre of the new settlement, as the seat of its magistracy; and a system of military defence during which they were free from Caffre depredations. By which measures, as well as by arrangements for a friendly intercourse with the Caffres, and by his solicitous attention to the interests and wishes of the settlers he inspired them with a degree of energy and hope of which they are now left only the recollection.

            It is the peculiar hardship of their situation, placed in a remote corner of the British dominions, with their whole interests and prospects committed to the unlimited controul of one individual, and possessing no security that their situation is thoroughly understood or properly represented, that they have been debarred all means of expressing their collective sentiments upon matters of the utmost importance to their common interests.

            It has long, and from the most distressing proofs, become evident to the settlers that the colonial government, situated at the opposite extremity of the colony (where every particular, whether of soil and climate or the constitution, pursuits and interests of society, is totally different) possesses no adequate means of ascertaining their actual wants.

            Under this conviction it was contemplated by a small number of the principal settlers to consult together upon the most adviseable mode of making His Excellency the Governor acquainted with the peculiarities of their situation; but this intention was met not only by positive prevention but by public imputation against the views and motives of the settlers in general which they feel to be wholly unmerited.

            Being thus prevented from communicating with the colonial government they have for twelve months continued to labor under the effects of a series of measures calculated only to extinguish the small remains of enterprise and confidence that had survived the numerous disappointments they had previously encountered; and when at length their situation from the increasing and unpunished incursions of the Caffres had become really insupportable they were reduced to the necessity of requesting permission to meet in the manner pointed out to them as legal for the purpose of making their situation known to his Majesty’s government. But as this also has been virtually denied to them they are obliged to content themselves with offering to your Lordship this imperfect but faithful sketch of their situation in general, but more particularly of the uniform reversal of every measure previously resorted to for their advantage.

            As it does not appear that many natural obstacles are opposed to their advancement they are induced to submit a candid statement of the artificial disadvantages by which they are surrounded, in the confident hope that this settlement will not be allowed to fall a sacrifice to them.

            Upon their arrival they found themselves placed, according to the terms accepted by them in England, before they were aware of the peculiarities of this colony, upon grants of 100 acres each in a country where it still appears necessary to the subsistence of the native farmer to grant him 4000 acres; this, together with the withholding two thirds of the deposit money, which it was stipulated should be repaid after location, had the effect of precluding the majority of the settlers from pursuing the mode of farming usual in this country and of directing their attention exclusively to agriculture.

            Although the disappointments hitherto suffered in this pursuit must be, in a great measure, referred to extraordinary and unavoidable causes, yet the settlers cannot but observe that their future prospects appear totally barred by the weightiest artificial obstacles.

            Besides the injurious effects of the distinction above mentioned, in drawing away a portion of the settlers to more profitable pursuits, the remaining part, who may possess land of an extent worth attending to, can have no inducement to raise a surplus produce while the colonial government reserves to itself in the entire supply of the troops the monopoly of the only internal market; and they can never look for an external trade while the prosperity of this part of the colony continues to be subservient to the local interests of Cape Town; while no direct trade is allowed to Algoa Bay; while no exportation is permitted except through Cape Town, and dependant on the state of that market; and the advantages of possessing a sea port is, in a great measure, lost to the settlement; while every article of import brought to Algoa Bay or the Kowie is burdened with all the expences of a reshipment from Cape Town.

            The establishment of the town of Bathurst as its seat of magistracy was of the most material service to the settlement, as from its situation in the centre of the smaller parties it served to sustain in its vicinity a denser population than the circumstances of the country could otherwise induce. Its superior advantages of soil; its vicinity to the only part of the coast found capable of communicating with the sea; and the erection of the residence of the Chief Magistrate at the public expense had induced many individuals to expend their means in establishing themselves there. The removal of the seat of magistracy and the withdrawing the troops and the government support from a town upon which they had fixed their first hopes, and upon which depended their future prospects of a market, has been productive of the worst effects upon the interests and prospects of the settlement in general; as, besides its directly ruinous consequences to individuals, it has drawn away the population from the nucleus of the settlement and created a general distrust in the stability of the measures of the Government.

            The most pressing and insupportable of their grievances arises from the constant depredations of the Caffres, who have, within a few months, committed several murders and deprived the settlement of the greater part of its cattle. These depredations are, in a great measure, produced by relinquishing that line of policy which held out to those tribes a hope of procuring, by friendly barter, such commodities as their acquired wants have rendered necessary, and which they are now obliged to procure by force or theft; by discountenancing and withdrawing the military force from the new settlement of Fredricksburgh and permitting the Caffres to plunder and force the settlers to retire, and ultimately to burn it to the ground; by withdrawing from the Fish River a line of posts which had previously effectually protected the settlers; by refusing aid to the more advanced farmers, plundering parties have been encouraged to drive those in, and afterwards to extend their incursions to all parts of the settlement and even beyond it; by exasperating that tribe which had hitherto preserved the appearances of friendship, in attempting to seize their Chief Gaika in his own village; and by withholding from the local military authorities that discretionary power with which they were formerly vested, which, by enabling them to enforce summary restitution, showed the Caffres that the offence must instantly be followed by the punishment, whereas by waiting the decision of the commander in chief, 600 miles distant, in every emergency, offences are allowed to accumulate to an alarming amount and the slender means of defence the settlement possesses deprived of the power of acting with promptitude is forced to present to the Caffres at once the appearance of enmity and weakness.

            It thus appears to the colonists that instead of the new settlement ever deriving any advantage from the civilization of these savages the existing measures can only lead to a war of mutual extermination.

            The settlers refrain from adverting to other numerous and serious obstacles to the prosperity of this settlement arising from the system of government and laws to which they are subjected, from the enlivening assurance that these considerations continue to occupy the attention of His Majesty’s ministers.

            When they contemplate the immense resources of fertile and unappropriated territory this colony possesses in their immediate vicinity and the provident care of the British Government to preserve the future inhabitants from the contamination of slavery, they cannot but cherish the hope that their present distresses are only temporary; and that at no distant period a numerous and flourishing colony may be here governed upon British principles and by British laws.

 

[Signed]

Geo. PIGOT

Dun. CAMPBELL

R.H. RUBIDGE

Thomas PHILIPPS

John STANLEY

P. DANIEL

P. DANIEL Jun

Nath. MORGAN

Charles DALGAIRNS

James COLLIS

J. PAWLE

John BROWN

John CARLISLE

D.P. FRANCIS

J. Burnet BIDDULPH

H.A. CRAUSE Capt. HP

Sam LIVERSAGE

James CARNEY

Arthur BARKER

John Henry DIXON

Simon BIDDULPH

Chas. MOUNCEY

John STUBBS

Hezekiah SEPHTON

Thomas SEPHTON

Alex BISSET Lt. Ret

Robt Wood BAGOT Capt HP 47th Rt

Geo. SMITH

George CLAYTON

Fed. CARLISLE

Peter CAMPBELL

Charles HYMAN

Isaac WIGGILL

Robt Blair GREEN

William CLAYTON

Josiah DAVIS

John Centlivres CHASE

Edw. FORD

Jno. MATHEWS

P.R. MARILLIER

Henry LLOYD

Sam BIRT

J. WEEKS

John DOULD

Will. BERRY

Js. LAPPEN

Ths WELLS

Thos. BRENT

Joseph COOPER

Tho. SLATER

Philip KING

John BUCKLEY

Saml. RUDMAN

Henry KING

Thos. OVERY

Jos. WILMOT

Thos. BAKER

John OVERY

Benj’n PATRICK

Wm. DOWSON

Will’m SAMPSON

B. LEECH

Jas. RICHARDSON

Thos. SIMPSON

James KENT

Dan FARLEY

Ts’n BEALE

Thomas PEEL

Wm. NEATS

Joseph WALKER

Thomas DERBYSHIRE

Mich’l KING

Rich’d SIMPSON

Peter BOLD

Jos. WEAKLY

John SAUNDERS

Benj’n HARTLEY

Wm. HART

Rich’d HULLEY

George WHITEHEAD

John MANDY

Christopher WEDDERBURN

Rich. HAYHURST

Wm. H. SURMON

John KIRKMAN

Henry HENKER?

Mich’l FITZGERALD

Samuel DUXBURY

S.H? BRADSHAW

Thos. MILLER

Will’m WEDERBURN

Jos’h KING

John SMITH

R. CROUCH

Will SIMMONS

Frederick HAWKES

Wm. DUXBURY

Rich’d BRADSHAW

James FITZGERALD

Wm. BLAIR

Amos BOUSHER

Wm. PRENTICE

David CAWOOD

James VICE

Wm. WILLIAMS

James CAWOOD

Will’m BOND

J. Henry HEATH

William CAWOOD

Thos. HEWSON

Wm. MOUNTFORT

John CAWOOD

Ch’s Jo’n LUCAS

Rich’d FORRESTER

Robert KELBRICK

William FORWORD

Will. CALVERLEY

Will’m GRADWELL

Chas. BREEZE

Morris SLOMAN

Stephen GRADWELL

John SMITH

W. KIDSON

Robert FOXCROFT

William ENNIS

John PURDON

Thos. WAKEFORD

John TAYLOR

Rt. HORN

P. Thos. MILLS

Rich’d BOUSHER

Fdk. MOLTBY

T.P. ADAMS

Thos. BERRINGTON

Thos. STYLE

Henry VOKINS

Jesse PAXTON

Benj’n HALL

Wm. SEYMOUR

Wm. EATWELL

Rob’t PIRIE

Francis WHITTAL

Jeremiah HONEY

Geo. BLACKMORE

Thomas HARTLEY

John MARSHALL

Thos. CALVERLEY

Geoge WATSON

Thomas WENTWORTH

Will. CALVERLEY

Benjmin NORDEN

Chas. GRUBB

Thos. BROEN

Edw. Hunt DELL

John PANKHURST

Thos. WALKER Sen

Tobias THARRATT

George PRATT

Thos. WALKER Jun

Geo. MARSDEN

James WILMOT

Wm. PRATTEN

Benj’n WILMOT

Rich’d PICKSTOCK

James HISCOCK

John FOURNIER

Hy GRAY

Wm. COMLEY

Wm. John EARLE

Thos. FILMER

 

STRUTT, Colonel re David Polley FRANCIS

 

454

2 Cornhill Place

7 June 1823

 

Colonel STRUTT presents his comps to Mr. WILMOT and forwards to him a packet which he has received from the Rev’d J. CARWARDINE the clergyman of Tolleshunt Heights near to Malden in Essex. Mr. CARWARDINE is brother in law to Mr. David FRANCIS who when in England farmed several hundred acres in a very [masterly?] manner & from the accounts held [obscured] was induced to leave England under the aid of government with several hundred [pounds] in his pocket. He is [obscured] understand now in a state of pecuniary difficulty, not in debt, but by untoward circumstances to which all who went out were subjected he has consumed all his money.

Mr. David FRANCIS is a sensible man but the accompanying out of the settlement will not Col. STRUTT supposes give information to government, but he sends it, hoping to be excused for so doing, because he is requested by the very respectable clergyman Mr. CARWARDINE.