CO48/45
National Archives, Kew,
Transcribed by volunteers from the ZA-IB and ZA-EC
Rootsweb mailing lists from digital photographs taken by Sue Mackay and Rowena Wattrus
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 Henry
GOULBURN (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.
Names in red actually became 1820 settlers to
LOWNDES,
William et al re John POULTON (filed under L in CO48/44)
436
Chesham
Nov 10th
1819
May it please your Lordship
We
the undersigned inhabitants of Chesham aforesaid beg to represent to your
Lordship that John
POLTON, also of Chesham, an honest industrious man with a family of
9 children, has been prevailed upon by William HOWARD late of Chesham aforesaid,
representing himself, as Mr. POLTON alleges, to be the accepted Head of a
party of Candidates for Colonization to Southern Africa, with his family to
join Mr. HOWARD’s
party. We beg further to represent that POLTON aforesaid professes, we believe truly, to
have paid £27-10-0 into the hands of Mr. HOWARD; has actually sent his family to Town,
made other arrangements in furtherance of
his design. The said POLTON also states that HOWARD shewed him a letter from the
Colonial Office which stated Mr. HOWARD’s admission by your Lordship as a principal
of a colonizing party 15 in [number]. Now some of us have reason to know that Wm. HOWARD’s
proposal to take out a party was not accepted by your Lordship altho by
representing himself as included in the Company of one WILKINS or some such
name he obtained credit & support among us as a colonist accepted in his
individual capacity.
In
consideration of the promises as well as the simplicity & low circumstances
of Mr. POLTON
we beg to know whether HOWARD has been accepted by your Lordship as the
Head of 15 colonists; or in such a party or in any other, of which WILKINS or
any other was the principal? In which case we beg further to know whether John POLTON
aforesaid is registered in the said party? And if so whether the s’d sum of £27-10-0
has been pd or acknowledged to have been rec’d by Mr. HOWARD or WILKINS or any other
on behalf of John
POLTON aforesaid? And we cannot doubt that the same feeling of humanity which suggests
these inquiries will move your Lordship not only to excuse the trouble we give
but to command the information we most earnestly & respectfully solicit. We
are, may it please your Lordship
Your Lordship’s most obed’t humble serv’ts
Thos. HEWETT, Curate of Chesham
Wm. LOWNDES, Magistrate
John BAILEY, Churchwarden
Geo. SOUTHERY Overseer
The bearer hereof may be mistaken as to the name of
WILKINS alias
W.H. BIGGS
Thos. HUMPHRIES
Inhabitants
MacPHERSON,
L (filed under P)
106
New
Sir,
It being my intention to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope
under such regulations as his Majesty's Government has laid down with respect to
other Individuals proceeding thither I have the honor to request you will be so
good to acquaint me what space of land may be allotted to me in the event of my
taking ten persons or families out with me with the particulars of the
Regulations adopted by Government respecting such persons, as also with the
particulars of any other Regulations on this head.
I have the
honor to be, Sir,
Your most
obedient very humble servt
L.
MACPHERSON
Dy.
Purveyor to the Forces
Half Pay.
MacPHERSON,
W (filed under P)
1 Manly Place
Kennington Common
Sir
Being applied to by several deserving men out of employment
(some of them old soldiers) for Information to Emigrate to the
I beg leave
to stake, that, in the event of Gov’t requiring the assistance of an agent or
Superintendent in the colony I shall be happy to be so employed, for which I
can give the most unexceptionable references and security.
I have the
honor to be Sir
Your most
obed servant
W.
MACPHERSON
52
No. 1 Manly Place
Kennington
Sir,
I have to acknowledge receipt of your circular letter on the
subject of Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, and should be glad to have some
further explanation before I can recommend the men that have applied to me, to
leave their native country, the point I wish most particular is, whether
Government will furnish all the implements of Husbandry at the Cape and in what
terms? or will the government advance money on the [security] of persons taking
out families with the security of the land? and will such land after being
brought to a proper state of cultivation be allowed to be transferrable or sold
to other settlers at the expiration of three or more years? and what is the situation of the land
proposed to be granted and what distance from the
I have the
honor to be Sir
Your most
obedient humble servant
W. MACPHERSON
PS in case
of reference I beg to mention the Rt Hon’ble J.C. VILLIERS who has known me
some years.
246
Manly Place
Kennington
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 3rd ult on the subject of emigration to the Cape which I have submitted
to my correspondents in different parts of the country, and the general opinion
amongst them is that agriculturists of small capitals going as settlers to a
new Colony and at so great a distance from the mother country are subject to
many difficulties which should be guarded against as far as freedom and
judgement can suggest. I am therefore
directed to submit whether any objection will be made on the part of Government
to a plan prepared to obviate such difficulties and sanctioned by several
Gentlemen of the highest respectability to form an association of such persons
by joining each other's means with parishes and persons of larger sums not
exceeding 1000 individuals, thereby establishing a fund for mutual assistance
sufficient to secure employment to industrious poor workmen and enabling
persons of small capitals to take advantage of the offers of Government to
Emigrate, in gradual proportions, with confidence and success!
At present
it is only intended (if sanctioned by your office) to send out a few
intelligent persons in the proportion of 10 to 100 with proper assistance to
take possession of land which the Governm’t may be pleased to grant so as to
make such arrangements for receiving others of the association, that on their
arrival they shall be provided with every thing requisite to cultivate the land
&c.
By this number of individuals joining for mutual assistance
and advantage binding the interests of each person to support the whole, either
by his money or service, will render this unity permanently usefull, and
ultimately relieve the country from the expenses of any military establishment
in that [part] where this society may be located.
The fund to be raised by this association may be placed in
Governm’t Security in the names of Trustees or subject any other arrangement
approved of by the Secretary of State for general comfit, this being the object
of the individuals who are most anxious to avail themselves of the plan and of
the Gentlemen who have promised their deposit.
I trust the importance of this application will not be diminished from
the humble rank of the applicant who has the honor to be Sir
Your most
obedient humble servant
W.
MACPHERSON
McPHAIL, F
(filed under P)
84
Wicklow
My Lord
With submission I beg to inform your Lordship, that I made
an application for leave to go out as a Settler to the
I now find that there is a Parliamentary Grant for the
Encouragement of settlers at the Cape, and Hope my past services in the Navy
and Army will intitle me to a preference, as I am informed the choice of persons
(who obtain grants) will be left to your Lordship, and I can get recommended by
several Gentlemen who formed part of the Grand Jury and the Late Assizes -
whenever your Lordship requires it.
A Gentleman in the neighbourhood of Wicklow with a capital
of two thousand pounds proposes to purchase a Vessel and take out his Farming
implements Furniture & ten families under such regulations as your Lordship
may require, and on account of my knowledge of the Cape he is desirous of my
making one of the Ten if it meets your Lordship's approbation, and he is now on
the point of disposing of a part of his Property, for the purpose of going to
the Cape or in case of failure he will proceed to America.
He wishes to know if he takes out Ten Families at his own expence
and finds them in Provisions and Water what compensation he will receive from
Government and whether his Furniture and Private Property will be subject to
any duty on his landing at the
We now hope your Lordship will be pleased to order such information
and instructions as will enable us to proceed to the
I am with
the greatest respect
your
Lordship's very humble servant
F. MCPHAIL
Wicklow
The
gentleman I have alluded to would be willing to go out in an Indierman if they
would permit him to take his Furniture and Farming implements with him.
139
Wicklow
Sir
Permit me to return you my sincere thanks for the printed
instructions dated the 9th inst. and as I am not the Principal, request you
will allow me to change the correspondence to Mr John GILBERT of Sandymount
near Wicklow who is now with me and dictates the following letter. In the mean time I beg leave to subscribe
myself, Sir
Your much
Obliged humble servant
Francis
MCPHAIL
To the
Right Hon’ble Earl
My Lord
From the Encouragement given by Government and the
information I have received from MCPHAIL who was four years at the Cape I am
induced to offer myself as a settler at
I have upwards of £2000 in ready money and shall leave
behind me as a reserve in case of failure about £250 pounds a year - permit me
to ask your Lordship where and with whom I shall leave the deposit money and
what Port we shall embark at, as I have a Thrashing Mill, Winnowing Machines,
Ploughs &c to take with me, if allowed and Waterford or Cork would be
convenient enough if any ships sail from thence.
Many people have made application to me, but I cannot as yet
give any answer to them, but my intent is to select the most usefull and before
I Encourage them to quit their present situations, I would wish to be certain
of our not being disappointed, as it may be a means of ruining them, besides, I
shall have to advance Money to pay the debt of some of them, over and above the
Money that is to be deposited in the hands of Government.
The following persons I would give the preference to if
approved of by your Lordship, viz a Carpenter, a Smith, seven Petit Farmers who
are tenants under me and MCPHAIL who is a master of all Trades and a tolerable
Farmer & who with my assistance and instructions will do well at the
Cape. I knew him an officer in the
Somerset Fensibles in Wicklow in 1801 and believe he is a deserving Man, has
seen much service and has too large a family and but a small income.
I hope your Lordship will pardon me when I say that we are
impatient to know what step to take - any information or your Lordships Order will
be most thankfully received and instantly obeyed by your Lordship's most
obedient and very humble servant
[signed] J.
GILBERT
Please
direct to
Mr John
GILBERT
Care of F
MCPHAIL
Wicklow
PALMER, J
277
No.14 Nibbin
Row
Black
Oct 6th
1819
Sir,
I
have taken the liberty of writing a few lines to know if you can put me into a
way of going out to settle at the Cape and knowing any particular party that
intends settling there should you know of any vacancy in any office whatever
that myself and wife can get over free of expense having but little excepting
what we shall be able to get by our own industry. What little money we can
scrape together we should want to purchase such articles with as would be of
most service to the new settlers at the colony. If you should not know of any
vacancy in any capacity whatever so that I might be able to raise a few pounds,
going soon, could you inform by what means I can get a free passage. I should
feel a lasting obligation; myself and wife have not yet seen our 24 year,
family at present none.
I remain your most humble servant
J. PALMER
PALMER,
Thomas
[Transcriber’s note: it is not certain which, if
either, of the Thomas
PALMERs below was the one who emigrated with WILLSON’s Party]
PALMER,
Thomas (1)
305
Lower
Marsh
Lambeth
Oct.
11th 1819
Sir
I humbly
request that you will do me the favour of sending my address to the Earl
BATHURST, and should you think it worthy of further favour, I shall feel grateful
for any service you may feel disposed to bestow upon it in the way of
recommendation.
The
accompanying packet contains the letter of recommendation, also several
certificates spoken of in my address to the Earl, as proofs of my statement
being correct. The necessary deposit in fact is already paid into a banking
house & the which shall be forthcoming at a few hours notice.
Your kindness in forwarding my
wishes will be most thankfully and gratefully received by Sir
Your most respectful humble servant
Thos. PALMER
309
Lower
Marsh
Lambeth
Oct.
12 1819
Sir,
Fearing
some mistake I take the liberty of writing to inform you that on Monday
afternoon last, I sent into the Colonial Office a packet of papers containing
an address to the Earl BATHURST, also a letter addressed to you, with
certificates. The favour of a speedy answer to the same will be most thankfully
received by your most obedient respectful humble servant,
Thos. PALMER
PALMER,
Thomas (2)
73
August
2 1819
My Lord,
Finding
that government is giving an encouragement to settlers at the Cape of Good
Hope, by sending them out free of expense and granting to each a portion of
land, I humbly take the liberty of requesting your Lordship will be pleased to
allow me to proceed thither, and if necessary to take with me a few followers,
some of whom have small families.
I sailed
for several years with Admiral PENROSE as clerk and secretary and am but lately
returned to this my native city, in consequence of his having been superceded
in the command of the Mediterranean.
Having
some knowledge of agriculture, and finding no prospect of pursuing it to
advantage here, I am induced to make this application to your Lordship, and if
requisite will forward certificates of conduct and character, and will pledge
myself that none shall accompany me whose characters are not equally
unexceptionable. I will also observe that I am ready to make any deposit which
may be required.
I have the honour to be, My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient humble
servant
Thos. PALMER
300
11
October 1819
My Lord,
I have
the honour to enclose a list of persons willing to accompany me to the
Your
Lordship may be assured I have been very particular in the selection, and that
none shall accompany me whose character will not bear the strictest
investigation. As to my own, if requisite, I can produce certificates, and
refer your Lordship to one of the first naval characters with whom I have
served for several years as clerk
and secretary.
I have the honour to be, My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient humble
servant
Thos. PALMER
A list of persons to accompany Mr.
Thomas PALMER to the
|
Names |
Married |
Single |
No.of
Children |
Age |
Remarks |
|
Mr.Thos. PALMER |
|
Single |
|
30 |
Has a perfect knowledge of farming |
|
Wm. PALMER |
|
Do. |
|
25 |
Accustomed to agriculture since
his infancy |
|
Jno. CALLEGAN |
Married |
|
Two |
29 |
Acquainted with country labour |
|
Wm. TURNER |
|
Single |
|
33 |
Do. |
|
Jno. MACKEY |
Married |
|
Three |
32 |
Do. |
|
Jno. BYRNE |
|
Single |
|
25 |
Do. |
|
Wm. O’BRIEN |
|
Do. |
|
21 |
Do. |
|
Dan’l TRINDLE |
|
Do. |
|
24 |
Do. |
|
J. KELLY |
|
Do. |
|
27 |
Do. |
|
Wm. HALL |
|
Do. |
|
19 |
Do. |
PALMER,
William
39
19
Saturday
July 24 1819
Sir,
As I
find trade at present very dead and nothing likely to stir which enables me to get
my living here I therefore make application as I find that persons of good
health and strong constitution is wanted for the fertilizing of the Cape of
Good Hope as my mind is fully satisfied to go if I can agree with the terms
proposed for the emigration.
Yours &c
Wm. PALMER
Locksmith, Bellhanger, Smith in general
Aged 22 years
67
19
July 29 1819
Sir,
Having
received an answer to the letter I wrote concerning the statement of the propositions
for those inclined to emigrate to the Cape and am satisfied with the statement
as it respects the passage and allso the grant that is made to those that go
but for further satisfaction I wish to know whether I am to be provided with
tools for my employ or whether I am to provide myself with them and allso what
is to be provided for the cultivation of the land given and in what way the
land is to be cultivated and allso what means of suppoart there will be for
those who settle at the cape as it appears to me that no trade can be carried
on till the land becomes cultivated, likewise when we shall embark or how we
shall attain a knowledge of our embarkation.
And I remain yours
Wm. PALMER
16
No.2
July 20th
1819
Honoured Sir,
Having
heard that it is the intention of Government to send Free Settlers out to the
Cape of Good Hope for the purpose of agriculture and I having been at the
Honoured Sir I am your must humble st.
45
July 26th
1819
Honoured Sir,
I beg leave to say that I have
received the printed form nesessary for persons emigrating to His Majesty’s
Colony at the
Honoured Sir I am your must humble st.
PARKER,
Charles
46
No.15 Long
Lane
Borough
Southwark
July 26th
1819
Sir,
Having
seen an advertisement in a paper wishing for British Subjects to go the Cape of
Good Hope (as settlers) I much wish to become one should you approve of me,
being out of employ and having nothing to doo in this country for a long tome
past, a sawyer by trade having a wife and no children, age 28 years.
I remain Sir your humble servat
Charles PARKER
PARKER,
William
27
[To the Rt.Hon.
Passage
West,
22nd
July 1819
Sir,
Having
always considered the Cape of Good Hope, from its geographical situation, the
salubrity of its climate and the fertility of its soil, as the most valuable
acquisition to Great Britain, it has afforded me much satisfaction that you now
so laudably, humanely and patriotically turn your attention to the extension of
the population and internal improvement of this important colony.
The
debates in Parliament on the 12th inst embolden me to address to you
a few lines on this subject, which under your protecting hand is so eminently
calculated to afford considerable relief to numerous unemployed people, who at
present lead a life almost of hopeless misery.
I had
for a long time strong expectations that the waste Bog and
Destitute
of capital as Ireland is, impoverished as the resident inhabitants are and the
insidious drain of the produce of the soil by absentees, it is almost
impossible that industry can flourish in a country situated as this is; therefore so may will gladly seize the
opportunity offered by Government of emigrating to the Cape.
I
have seen in the
Engaged
as I have largely been in commercial and agricultural pursuits I was in the
habit of affording employment to hundreds of people in the City of
Having
as an elector of the City and
I was
induced to make this application during my commercial pursuits, I had occasion
to reside for about four years in several of the
Although
the cession of
Inured
as I am to a tropical climate, brought up to the most active industry, almost
of an encyclopaedical nature, such as may be valuable in a new colony, I may
not be deemed unfit to be selected by His Majesty’s Government to take charge
of settlers from Ireland for the proposed Establishment at the Cape, where it
must be the earnest desire of Ministers to introduce a system of morality as
the best protection to industry and the future guarantee of the prospering of
the colony.
Grievously
as I have suffered from the operation of the Orders in Council, without
troubling either Government or Parliament with Petitions which many recommended
me to submit, I humbly presume to state that I have a strong claim, not only to
be favoured with your commiseration but your generous and liberal confidence,
as the humane and enlightened manager of the proposed Plan.
From
time immemorial my family have fought and bled for their king and country. My
uncle Colonel PARKER fell in action in India in the command of a detachment of
the British Army at Bombay, and my brother Captain PARKER of the Navy lost his
life, with his crew, in the command of Le
Viper Sloop of War open in the act of reconnoitring the French Fleet off
Bantry Bay in the awful winter of 1796.
You
have already honoured me with your correspondence and thanks for my own
personal exertions in devilifing the abuses practised in Irish Grand Jury
Presentiments. My Lords LIVERPOOL,
I
have lately devoted much of my time to enquiries into the alarming state of the
Irish Poor, towards whom you have been personally kind.
When
you were in
As I
was proceeding to submit this detail to your kind, serious and prompt
consideration I received a letter from my near relative the Constable of the
Navy who states that he made the minutest inquiries in the best channels as to
the cession of Cuba and that the report of its transfer had no foundation in
truth. He therefore recommended my losing no time to provide some other
situation besides that which was the object of my researches. His answer has
fully confirmed me in this respectful appeal to your consideration.
My immediate
family consists of a wife of one of the first connections in this county, three
daughters and three sons, Mrs. PARKER and my two eldest daughters the only
part of my family grown up, and perfectly content to share my fortunes in any
climate I may determine to go to. If under my present circumstances it pleased
God to remove me from this varied scene, their means of support would be
extremely limited – a painful consideration which grieves me to the heart and
embitters all my moments. But why should I, a perfect stranger to you Sir, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, trouble you with such a private detail. My answer
should be candid and simple because your acknowledged humanity and the high
respect you pay to the interests of Religion and the social virtues embolden me
to apply directly to the fountainhead, the mover of the Plan in the House of
Commons.
You have now
before you a brief account of a man in the 42nd year of his age who
has mixed in the first society and is most respectably, if not highly
connected, who has experienced many vicissitudes of life but who still thank
God possesses sufficient energies of mind and body, if aided by your patronage,
of rendering important services, not only to himself but to his king, country
and that Government which may take him under its countenance – one who has not
despaired amidst the greatest misfortunes, but who trusting in an Omniscient
Providence and in the kind consideration of Government hopes to be relieved by
its instrumentality of what he fondly trusts are unmerited distresses.
The present
Lord Mayor Mr ATKINS has been an old correspondent of mine. I beg leave to
refer you to his Lordship and Sir J.B. MARTIN as to their knowledge of me and
my connections.
Should your
answer be propitious I shall have the honour of waiting on you at
This
application to your, Sir, is not only deeply interesting to me but to many
respectable individuals inclined to be the companions of my voyage and
partakers of my future fortunes. As such let me earnestly entreat that it will
elicit your personal attention.
I have the
honor to be Sir
Your most
obedient and very humble st.
Wm. PARKER
I take leave to inclose a letter for the Lord Mayor
apprizing his Lordship of this application to you. I also take the liberty to
request your perusal of my Plea for the Poor and Industrious
[note from GOULBURN across bottom of final page]
Acknowledge receipt of his letter transmitted by Mr.
VANSITTART and acquaint him that there is no intention of approaching persons
to superintend the embarkation or to take charge of settlers proceeding to the
Cape, but in the event of his being disposed to proceed thither inclose him a
copy of the printed letter which specifies the only conditions under which
Govt. give encouragement to emigration to that settlement.
[Transcriber’s Note: Captain Henry Harding PARKER and his ship HMS Viper
were lost on 2 Jan 1797 after engaging the French fleet, which was
attempting to land insurrectionists in
92
Passage West
Friday 5th
August 1819
My Lord,
I have
had the honour to receive a letter this day from Mr. VANSITTART of the 29th
ult on the subject of the proposed emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, wherein
he states that he should not fail to transmit to your Lordship the documents
which I have sent him, as the arrangements for the proposed colonization were
considered your case.
Having
paid great, almost unremitting, attention to the state of the Poor in
The interesting
and I will add the important details which have thus reached me make me
desirous to use every exertion to aid the benevolent views of His Majesty’s
Government in which your Lordship is to take such an active and prominent part.
Deeply
interested, as a husband and father of six children, in the success of this
arduous enterprize I feel called on to unite firmness with forethought and to
call into action all the exigencies of body and mind to insure success to my
humble exertions.
Having
for many years laboured and with some success in bettering the condition of the
Poor in Ireland I have had frequent occasions to communicate with the Irish
Government, and I am happy to state that the distinguished Personages who
swayed the viceregal powers in Ireland paid the most marked attention to my
suggestions and with a promptness highly honourable to their humanity. Thus
emboldened, I have taken a wider range of the importance of the proposed
emigration than perhaps most other individuals in this country.
My
friend Sir J.B. MARTIN most probably has had an interview with your Lordship
before this. I have also solicited him to have an interview with Mr. BARROW,
whose trades in
As I
propose having an interview next with His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant on my
way to London, you will particularly oblige me by having the goodness to
inclose any communication with which your Lordship may please to favour me
under cover to Wm. GREGORY Esq, Castle Dublin.
In
this town, my family residence for over a century, there are a number of
helpless widows and orphans of seamen and mechanics whose life is a burthen to
them in their present deplorable condition, as they are not only destitute of
clothing but almost of food, without resorting to begging or crime.
As
food is to be had in abundance on the salubrious and fertile shores of Southern
Africa, and as the raw materials for clothing almost spontaneously grow there,
it has appeared to me that by a little timely precaution and the aid of the
humane that some of these distressed individuals may be prevented continuing a
prey to despondency and to despair,
I
have mentioned my ideas to several of my friends, some of whom are active
Governors of the Charitable Institutions in
These
will show you how zealous I am in humble but I trust not ineffectual exertions
to do good. I propose on Monday next going to
Should
Sir Nicholas COLTHURST be in
As
clothing and implements of husbandry, manufactures and defence are the main
articles to be procured in the
I have the honour to be my Lord with much respect
Your most obedient humble servant
Wm. PARKER
The widows who are likely to emigrate will be under 45
years of age and would assist in the cultivation of the vines of flax and hemp
besides manufacturing the two latter into clothing for the colonists and the
army. Present exertion when aided by the protecting hands of Government
directed by such efficient and humane individuals as the Secretary for the
Colonies and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[Transcriber’s
Note: The properties of Adlington and Worthington were passed by descent to
members of the CLAYTON family, most notable among whom were Richard Clayton who
became Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland from 1765 until his
death in 1770, and another Richard Clayton who studied law and served as
Recorder of Wigan 1815 - 1828, Constable of Lancaster Castle and British Consul
at Nantes. He was also a noted translator with many published works to his
credit. See www.my-worthington-heritage.co.uk]
96
[Enclosed with the above letter. A copy written in a different
hand, possibly his wife or daughter’s]
To the Governors of the House of Industry of the City
of
Passage West
August 1819
My Lord and Gentlemen,
The
alarming situation of the poor in Ireland having for a series of years attracted
my most serious attention, I have exerted all the means within my reach in
endeavours to better their condition. In the progress of this undertaking I
have been honoured with the constant correspondence and communications of some
of the most eminent philanthropists, both in and out of Parliament. These bid
me to devise a plan of rural asylums for each Barony or Union of Parishes, to
be placed under the immediate primary control of the Grand Juries at Assizes
and under the management of Local Committees. Such establishments would prevent
as has been humanely expressed by Dr. PERCEVAL of Dublin the miseries of the
country being visited on the towns as the poor of their several districts could
be employed and fed “where provisions grow and are consequently cheapest”.
Although my suggestions met the approbation of many competent individuals of
the first characters who exerted themselves in the cause of suffering humanity,
the extent of the funds required for carrying them into execution and the dread
of increasing the evils of idleness, when anything like a National Support was
provided for the helplessness of infancy and old age, have retarded, I will not
say totally prevented, my plan being acted on.
His
Majesty’s Ministers having proposed to encourage emigration to the Cape of Good
Hope, and a Parliamentary grant having been made for that purpose, as no
employment is for a while likely to be provided at home for our able bodied
poor, it is fortunate that such an extensive field offers for it under the
immediate auspices of Government on the salubrious and fertile shores of
Southern Africa.
The
general peace which so happily prevails throughout the wide expanse of the
British dominions is most favourable to the happy establishment of new colonies
under wise and humane regulation. Therefore after the most serious deliberation
and receiving the most satisfactory accounts I have tendered my services to the
British Government to conduct a colony from
Anxious
that the able bodied and moral poor of the south of Ireland should benefit from
my exertions I take leave to inform you of this circumstance and to suggest
that as Government propose that the able parochial poor in England should be
aided by the respective parishes to emigrate, measures may be adopted to
relieve your establishment, the vast utility of which has been so amply proved,
from a part of its numerous inmates; provided such individuals could be
selected, willing to emigrate and not labouring under physical or moral
disabilities.
I
have submitted this proposition in a general way to the Irish Government, and
as I propose having an immediate interview with them on the subject of my
enterprize I take leave to submit to your prompt consideration the propriety of
your ascertaining the number of able bodied persons and healthy children over
14 years of age, who have had the smallpox, hooping cough and meazles, as may
be inclined to embark in the month of October or November for the Cape of Good
Hope under the regulations approved of by Government. It is extremely desirable
that the number of this description in the different Public Charities through
Ireland should be accurately ascertained that the necessary ways and means
should be timely provided and particularly as local subscriptions must be
entered into to give a similar assistance to the Irish Poor to emigrate as the
English Parishes are authorized to do from their funds.
98/100
Passage
West,
6th
August 1819
Mr.
W. PARKER presents his most respectful compliments to Lord
To the Governors of the
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Having
as a Ship Owner taken from your establishment several boys as apprentices to
the sea, and as it is extremely difficult during the present circumscribed
state of commerce to procure situations for the children in Public
Establishments, many of whom are unavoidably continued in them beyond the age
prescribed for apprenticing them, I beg leave to call your attention to the
Plan of Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope proposed by Government and now in
progress of being carried into effect. I have tendered my services to His
Majesty’s Ministers on the occasion of which the inclosed copy of my letter to
the Governors of the House of Industry will more fully inform you.
I
have proposed that a number of boys and girls from the Public Charities in
Ireland should be provided with means to emigrate under the special care of the
Director, Clergyman and Physician of the colony where on their being located
they should be apprenticed to such industrious farmers, artisans and mechanics
of good moral character as the Director &c approved.
This
system was successfully acted on by the Dutch Government on the first
settlement of the Cape, the most respectable inhabitants of which are the
children sent from the Orphan Schools in
I
wish to call your early attention to this suggestion that you may ascertain the
number of children over 14 years of age, who have had the smallpox meazles and
hooping cough, who may be disposed to volunteer under my immediate care. The
Physician or Surgeon who may accompany me will be instructed to examine
minutely each boy and girl and to reject any that could not be embarked under
every fair prospect of future success.
I
shall arrange either in Dublin or London the selection of proper Masters and
Mistresses from the most approved Societies to take care of the childrens
health and more to preserve the benefits of their early education and to
instruct the rising generation of the colonists and if possible of the Natives.
Every
precaution which human forethought can [demand] under the direction of the most
enlightened philanthropists in
Be so good as to inclose your answer under cover to
Wm. GREGORY Esq, Castle Dublin
I have the honour to be my Lords and Gentlemen
Your very obedient humble servant
Copy
120
Passage
West,
11th
August 1819
Sir,
I
have had the honour to receive your letter of the 3rd inst with the
inclosed circular on the subject of emigration to the
In
this parish and the neighbourhood of
The
sixth paragraph in the circular letter appears to me to apply to this
particular description of persons, from which it is generally supposed to be
the humane wish of Government to relieve the country. A strong feeling has been
already shown in
But
these are not the class of persons likely to reward an enterprizing individual
by their useful labours and certainly not such as I should select. Nevertheless
they are such persons for whom, were it possible, Government should provide
means for emigrating and where it is more the duty of the state than of an
individual to relieve.
However
considerably over 100 families, the heads of which are all men possessing
bodily and mental energies, freely volunteering to be the companions of my
enterprize and to place themselves under my particular care. I shall therefore
be perfectly satisfied to make such arrangements with them as Government may
approve, provided they can empower me when located in the colony to enforce
their several contracts.
The
undertaking is arduous but I trust that I possess sufficient fortitude and
patience to be prepared to meet with difficulties and with the blessing of God
to insure success.
Thus
circumstanced I shall proceed to
My Parliamentary
friends have come forward with tenders of their services and although policy
may influence the Colonial Department to state, as you have done in your letter
to me, that there exists no intention to appoint persons to take charge of
bodies of settlers to the Cape of Good Hope and to superintend their
proceedings, I am perfectly satisfied that His Majesty’s Ministers will not
leave these persons to create their own ruin, which would be the case unless
“some intelligent individual” as the circular letter specifies should direct
their industry and provide for their multiform wants.
What the
[obscured] PAYNE? and Mr.BARROW have written are conclusive on these points.
The present state of Society in the South East of Africa does not sanction a
number of destitute individuals to be cast dependent and almost destitute on
its shores remote from
When Sir
J.B. MARTIN and Mr. BARROW have an interview with my Lord BATHURST his Lordship
will probably be inclined to allude to my suggestions.
My views
lead me to form a settlement on the sea coast for the purpose of commerce and I
have stated such facts as may incline the Colonial Department to secure me a
grant of land on the Knysna. I have the honour to be, Sir, with much respect
Your very obedient servant
Wm. PARKER
147
Greshams
Hotel
Friday 20th
August 1819
Mr. W. PARKER
presents his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN, takes leave to inform him for the
information of Earl BATHURST that he has arrived from Cork in this City on his
way to London, in order to enter into arrangements with the Colonial Department
for the removal of a number of settlers from Cork Harbour to the Territories of
the Cape of Good Hope.
On
the special recommendation of Mr. GRANT, Mr. PARKER waits for the honour of an interview
with His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant in Tuesday next, as Mr. GRANT has
assured him that Earl TALBOT is interested in the success of his arduous
enterprize.
Mr.
GRANT has been so kind as to offer Mr. PARKER particular letters of introduction to
Mr. GOULBURN, he therefore trusts that his delay in
Mr. PARKER
has had a long interview with Sir George BE....? whom he particularly consulted
respecting the establishment of a Colonial Militia at the
155
Greshams
Hotel
Monday 23rd
August 1819
Mr. PARKER presents
his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN, takes leave to acknowledge receipt of his
letter of the 13th inst transmitted from Passage West and that he
hopes to have the honour of paying his personal respects in
Mr. PARKER is pleased
to find from Mr. GOULBURN’s letters that a part of Mr. P’s plan of emigration
from
Mr. PARKER has written
to Mr. PEEL to
[note from GOULBURN on back of envelope:
What can we say to this pompous gentleman who has
already so completely worn out
175
Crown Hotel
1st
September 1819
Mr.
PARKER presents his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN and will do
himself the honour of waiting on him on Tuesday next at 12 o’clock agreeably to
Mr. GOULBURN’s appointment.
177
Crown Hotel,
3rd
September 1819
Sir,
In
submitting through you to Lord BATHURST’s consideration certain conditions
relative to the proposed emigration of myself, family and large body of
settlers from Cork Harbour to the Cape of Good Hope, I feel called on to
introduce these conditions which I have no doubt will meet his Lordships
approbation.
The
letters of introduction which I have had the honour to procure to Mr.
VANSITTART, Lords HANDLY and CASTLEREAGH and to yourself from Mr. GRANT as the
Organ of the Irish Government, accompanied with the high testimonials of my
public and private character contained in these letters, embolden me to address
the Colonial Department with some degree of confidence and with a humble hope
that my past services in the cause of my King, Country and of suffering
humanity will meet all due attention from his Lordship and yourself.
I
removed with my family to a tropical climate and respectably if not highly
connected I do not appear before you in the light of an ordinary emigrant but
as an individual of considerable experience and knowledge of [men?] and things,
and more particularly as a patient an loyal sufferer from the operation of
public occurrences and especially from the Orders in Council in 1810 or 1811,
which deprived me and my friends of a very considerable property, a fact well
known to my Lord LIVERPOOL and painfully distressing to me, as a husband and a
father.
I
have a very general knowledge of the Colonial System having had when in the
The
anomalous state of the Colonial Government of the
Should
my Lord BATHURST be disposed to make any arrangements with me there will be no
necessity for any departure of much moment from the official letters issued by
the Colonial Department and which are so creditable to the humanity of His
Majesty’s Government.
But
as my views are of an embracing and comprehensive nature, uniting commercial
and agricultural pursuits, experience and misfortune have given me a
considerable knowledge, I do trust that his Lordship will deem me deserving of
a special grant of a part of those occupied lands on the banks of the Knysna,
and that he will be pleased to facilitate my negotiations with Mr. George REX
of Milkwood Kraal [Melkhoutkraal]* for the purchase of the farm of Eastford
which appears on the map and is represented to me as being the [ideal?]
situation for a Town. This Town I shall most respectfully solicit His Royal
Highness the Prince Regent to name New Cork, as the harbour of the Knysna bears
so strong a resemblance to that of my native city, and as the Town will I hope
become populous under the auspices of the British Government and the industry
of the natives of
The
number of highly respectable individuals willing to embark with me and under my
direction give me some additional claim to Lord BATHURST’s consideration.
Several Naval and Military Officers, a Clergyman of the Established Church
highly recommended will cooperate with me and form a loyal and efficient
Council to aid me in cases of emergency and to enforce order and good conduct
among the Colonists. With such assistance and with the superior help of Religion,
Morality and Industry I place humble confidence under God and the protection of
the British Government and I hope to see in a few years a flourishing colony on
the South East Coast of Africa affording an extensive asylum to our redundant
population at home and adding to the strength and revenues if the British
Empire.
These
are my views and I hope that they will not be considered erroneous but that
they will merit the distinguished notice of Lord BATHURST.
Having when in Dublin fully explained myself to
the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on this subject it was most gratifying to me to
find that His Excellency cordially approved of my enterprize and expressed
himself through the Chief Secretary disposed to afford me every assistance
which His Majesty’s Ministers approved of and which the great poverty of the
Irish settlers mainly arising from the effects of the late contagious disease
so particularly required.
It
may not be irrelevant to state that Mr. Serjeant BARTON told me in
This
opinion, which I will venture to confirm, is that of all the Irish Judges [and?]
will no doubt have due weight - ask my
Lord BATHURST and it will operate with the Irish Government to aid the settlers
with a grant of the necessary arms, ammunitions, tents &c and for which the
voluntary and loyal services of so many individuals in the Irish Yeomanry give
them a strong claim.
As an
officer of the Yeomanry I pledge myself to organise all the male adults in the
new colony into a respectable Regiment of Militia to aid in the guard
protection of the settlement and give local confidence amongst the inhabitants
of the district. In submitting this proposition I trust that I do an act of
service to my country, as such a corps, unpaid, embodied for self defence and
always on the alert, would strike the neighbouring savages with awe, and prevent
such scenes occurring as happened at the Knysna in 1799 and which have acted on
the borders of the Witte River this present year.
The
vast importance of the subject, and the interest of so many individuals for
whom I am the agent, require on my part the fullest and most satisfactory
explanations – that no false hopes, no enthusiastic idea of success should
henceforth cause discontent, dissatisfaction and distress amongst the
colonists.
Mr.
GRANT and Mr. SNEYD said “let your business be well arranged in
Having
now done so, I take leave most respectfully to submit the accompanying
proposals for My Lord BATHURSTs favourable consideration. I have the honour to
be Sir
Your most obedient and very humble servant
Wm. PARKER
*[Transcriber’s
Note: George REX, rumoured to be the illegitimate son of George III, purchased
the estate of Melkhoutskraal (Milkwood) in 1804. "As time went on the 'grand seigneur' (George
Rex) at Melkhout Kraal expanded his agricultural activities and eventually
became the largest landowner along the coast between Table Bay and
{Attached to above letter]
Conditions which Mr. PARKER has the honour to submit to Earl
BATHURST’s consideration for taking charge of a body of settlers from Cork
Harbour for the South East Coast of Africa, pursuant to the late Parliamentary
grant and in conformity to the Regulations of the Colonial Department.
1st
That a grant of land shall be made to each head of families and all adults
eighteen years of age and upwards at the rate of 100 acres, agreeably to the
circular letter of August 1819, and that Mr. PARKER shall have power to article to him for
three years such a number of tradesmen, mechanics and agricultural labourers
not exceeding 100, for each of which he is to obtain a grant of land, such as
may be unlocated or in the hands of Government on the banks of the River
Knysna, and such as Mr. PARKER may solicit on his arrival and that in
consequence of the lately alleged scarcity of provisions at Cape Town and its
territories he shall be allowed two years for completing his compliment of 100
families of male adults so that he may render his selection of lands as
convenient as circumstances will admit.
2.
That the Colonial Government at the
3.
That as several of the Public Charities in
4.
That the unarticled settlers who may choose to go under Mr. PARKER’s direction shall be
totally free from his interference in their private pursuits. But that all who
go to the district of the Knysna shall consider him as the confidential
superintendent thereof.
5.
That Mr. PARKER be appointed Colonial Commandant of the Colonial Militia of the
Knysna with full powers for the first seven years of appointing the Officers of
the Regiment.
6.
That it is understood the Officers and Privates of said Militia shall serve without pay and be subject to
such rules and regulations as the Colonial Government acting on behalf of His
Majesty may think proper to order. But that all due consideration be made by
the Government for the voluntary services of such a corps so that they shall
not be harassed with unnecessary duty.
7.
That in case of vacancy the Privates of said Regiment of Militia after the
lapse of seven years shall have the power of electing their own officers (as
was the case in the Irish Yeomanry) with the excepting of the Colonial
Commandant, who shall be appointed in case of Mr. PARKER’s death, resignation or
removal by the Government of the Cape.
8. That in
case of the death, resignation or removal of George VANKERVAL Esq, the present
Landrost or Sheriff of the District of George Town, Mr. PARKER be appointed his
successor if it be not deemed expedient to separate the District of George Town
from that of the Knysna, the harbour of which is near 50 miles distant from the
former. In case of such separation Mr. PARKER shall be appointed Landrost with the
usual salary and allowances made by the colony to the other Landrosts.
9. That as
the Irish Government had given an assurance to Mr. PARKER of its cordially
assisting him with a proportion of military stores, arms and ammunition, from
the Irish Establishment, that such quantities as the Commander of Forces in
Ireland may approve shall be shipped on board one of the transports, either at
Dublin or Cork, for the Knysna, for the protection and accommodation of the
colonists.
10. That as the
timber of the forests of the Knysna after trial in Deptford Dock Yard has been
declared absolutely unfit for His Majesty’s Naval Services, that Mr. PARKER
shall have free permission to cut down any quantity he may require [in] the
Government Forests, without any charge, fees or impost and to remain the same
through any ways already formed or to [obscured] such new ways or aqueducts
without any hindrance or molestation from any individuals connected with the
Government. Provided nevertheless that Mr. PARKER makes good any damage he may
do to the lands or premises of any person. And it is understood that all the
settlers shall have free permission to cut down any timber they may require for
their own use.
Draft of Henry GOULBURN’s reply to above:
I
have laid before Lord B your letter of the 3rd inst enclosing for
his Lordship’s consideration certain conditions under which you propose to take
charge of a body of settlers and proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, and am
directed to reply to assure you that his Lordship does not feel himself at
liberty to admit in your case of any deviation from the conditions laid down in
the printed letter under which other settlers proceed to that colony; it is not
from any doubt as to your individual qualifications but from the necessity
which his Lordship considers to exert for placing all the settlers in the
colony on a precisely similar footing. On this ground therefore his Lordship is
unable to hold out to you any expectation of your being permitted on your
arrival to solicit the particular spot which you may consider most eligible for
a settlement. You will of course be at liberty to make known your wishes to the
Governor but it must rest with him to decide how far a compliance is consistent
with the general interest of the colony.
With
respect to the appointments which you have in view either as Superintendent of
the Knysna, as Colonel of the Militia or as Landrost of the District of George
Town, Lord B cannot enter into any engagement not does he consider it necessary
to discuss your proposition with respect to the military service of the
settlers, it not being in his power to [obscured] any that differ from those
which are actually in force in the colony & Lord B is particularly desirous
that you should have an [obscured] that as all the persons who proceed to the
Cape as settlers will of course receive in common with his Majesty’s other
subjects in that colony all due protection and support, so they cannot be
permitted to enjoy either with respect to their lands or in any other respect
any immunities from which other inhabitants are debarred. For this reason the
right of collecting timber on land allotted to you there is not one which Lord
B has in his power to concede.
With
respect to that part of your proposal which relates to the carrying out of a
certain number of boys and girls from the charities in Ireland, Lord B
considers that although the plan may well be deserving of future consideration
it is one which he should not in the first instance be desirous of encouraging.
To the other conditions specified as they in most respects conform to the
regulations laid down in the printed letter Lord B has no objection, but he has
desired me to add that in the event of any proposal you may make being accepted
you will be at perfect liberty to make any legal agreements with the settlers
under your direction which may be essential for your mutual interest &
comfort.
200
Crown Hotel,
Saturday 4th
September 1819, 11 o’clock
Mr.
PARKER presents his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN, takes leave
to forward him a letter which he received this Post from the Bishop of
Gloucester. The number of distinguished personages in
Note from GOULBURN across bottom:
Acquaint Mr. PARKER that although I am not aware that
any confidential communication can be necessary on the subject of a proposal to
emigrate to the Cape that nevertheless as he appears to entertain an different
opinion I shall be happy to receive him on Tuesday next at 2 o’clock.
216
Crown Hotel
Tuesday 14 Sept 1819
Mr PARKER presents his compliments to Mr
GOULBURN takes leave to send him the copy of a letter which he received from a
very eminent Irish Clergyman on the subject of the
As Mr PARKER does not wish to be troublesome to Mr
GOULBURN, he has determined to wait his and Lord BATHURST’s pleasure and in
order to facilitate the necessary arrangements in
As several of Mr PARKER’s connexions are at present in the
country and as some of them have promised to meet him in Town early in October,
Mr PARKER
has written to Mrs
PARKER to join him in
Mr PARKER has seen a letter from the
[Note from GOULBURN across letter]
Return W.P. his book and letter with my thanks for the
communication & acquaint him that I should be very [unhappy?] to be the
cause of delaying him [unnecessarily?] in London and as I am not conscious of
any point which cannot be settled by correspondence as well as by personal
communication, beg that he will not sacrifice his convenience for what he may
consider to be either Lord B’s or mine
218
Copy of a
letter from the Revd H. TOWNSEND to Mr PARKER
4 Augt 1819
My Dear
Friend
Your undertaking appears to me most judicious, and from the
first time I heard of the encouragement held out for colonization at the
Our loyal newspapers were generally full of discouragement
to migration, when if they had known the real state of the Country, they should
have promoted it by every means within their power, for it is not mere numbers
that constitute the strengths or prosperity of an Empire, but united,
industrious and happy inhabitants. An
empire crowded with people of whom many languish for want of employment and
when employment cannot be given to them, must like an overgrown body contain
the seeds of disorder.”Male suit sua”
. But although spots may be overstocked the world is yet sufficiently wide, and
a great nation like
Some good ploughmen and carpenters would be among the prime
requisites. Common labourers may be made
or found anywhere that civilisation even in a rude state subsists. If you can
accomplish the object proposed of getting out at the head of a strong
establishment, provided with all such things and materials, as such a scheme
requires, and under the protection of Government, very little capital will
be required to insure ultimate success.
The command of labour in such enterprises is capital sufficient, and
that your numbers will enable you to have.
I would principally guard against extravagant hopes, which
generally end in mortification and disappointment. Such an undertaking rather lays the
foundation of future prosperity for those who come after than encourages hopes
of immediate acquisition. You must
therefore be prepared for some difficulties and some disappointments, and among
other articles of preparation lay in a stock of patience and fortitude. I shall be extremely glad to hear how you get
on in the encouragement you expect, and the provisions you are enabled to make.
Yours most
truly
Hor.
TOWNSEND
A few years
residence at the
[Transcriber’s
note: The Rev. Horace TOWNSEND of Derry in the parish of Rosscarbery was the
author of the Statistical Survey of the
220
Crown Hotel
Sir
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 13th inst
to which I hasten to reply as the period is fast approaching for the
In one of the circular letters, the last I believe, it is
stated "that the interests and wishes of the settlers will be consulted
and attended to, as far as may be consistent with the public interests of the
Colony." This assurance, which does
such high honor to the Colonial Department, emboldens me to solicit your
reference to my [previous/former] communication with the conditions accompanying
it. In these documents you will find
that it is my wish to comply as far as possible with the conditions laid down
in the printed circular, and that I do not solicit any special exemption in my
favor, incompatible with Earl BATHURST to grant, or such as may prove the
grounds of jealousy to other settlers.
But as I bring considerable commercial, nautical and
agricultural experience to my aid, and as Mr Richard Benjamin SHEARES a
gentleman of high respectability, property, talents and possessing some local
knowledge of the Cape has associated with me, along with several other
respectable individuals, it is due to them and myself that I should for the
general interest avail myself of these circumstances to press, if not a special
exception at home, at least a particularly strong recommendation, (which in
every point of view, I should consider as valid, as a command) from Earl
BATHURST to his Excellency the Governor of the Cape, requesting that the wishes
of myself and settlers will be complied with, as stated in my letter and
conditions of the 3rd inst, copies of which, I submit should accompany the
dispatch committed to my case provided that these conditions be consistent with
the public interests of the Colony.
I have that confidence in Earl BATHURST’s consideration and
my own devotion as a loyal subject to my King, country and the interests of
Humanity, that although circumstances may prevent his Lordship entering into
any engagement with me, that I should be appointed either as superintendent of
the Knysna, as Colonel of the Militia, or as Landrost of the district of George
Town, that I shall be perfectly satisfied at his Lordships recommending me for
these appointments, should any such be deemed necessary, or should any vacancy
occur.
I apprehend that you are under some misconception as to the
privilege I solicited of cutting Timber in the forests of the Knysna. These are
represented to me as useless possessions in the hands of the Crown. Indeed the specimens of the Timber, which I
have seen at Deptford Dockyard, indicate that it was in a state of decay and
unfit for any public service. In this
case no possible injury could arise to the public from granting me this boon,
which would enable me to employ a vast number of people in the supply of the
garrison and inhabitants of Cape Town, with the article of fuel of which they
so much stand in need.
Having now replied to your letter in a manner which I hope
will be satisfactory to Earl BATHURST, permit me to conclude by stating, that
in coinciding with the opinion of that highly respectable individual Doctor
COLQUHOUN, who has honored me with his correspondence, I am fully satisfied
"it will only require prudent, correct and intelligent superintendence, in
order to secure success in what may be truly denominated a God like work, that
of making millions of our fellow creatures happy, who are now
miserable". When his Majesty's
Ministers proposed the Parliamentary grant, such sentiments unquestionably
operated with them. I therefore,
honoured as I am with the friendship of so many distinguished Individuals, and
accustomed to enquire into the misfortunes and vices of society, in all their
appalling shapes, and to remove them as far as my humble means permit, I am
animated with a hope that these circumstances will hereafter lead to have me
considered as a person of some importance in such an extensive Colony.
Mr SHEARES only waits your answer to proceed to
As my
general knowledge on the subject of Emigration and Embarkation may be useful on
this occasion, permit me to suggest, that the Admiral and Agent for Transport
in Cork Harbour be requested to muster and examine all the Heads of families
who may embark, that Government may be fully satisfied that no improper mode
has been resorted to, in securing their services.
I have the
honor to be Sir
Your most
obedient and very humble servant
William
PARKER
[Transcriber’s
note: Richard SHEARES
was the son of Henry SHEARES. Henry and his brother John, both barristers, were
hanged for treason during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, having been betrayed by
a double-agent named ARMSTRONG. Today they are revered as two of the foremost
Irish patriots. There is no information on Richard or any of his political
affiliations.]
[Draft of
Henry GOULBURN’s reply to above]
I have laid before Lord B the letter which you addressed to
me on the 14th inst in which you state that you do not desire any
special exemption in your favor from the conditions laid down in the printed
circular with respect to emigration to the Cape, but that you are anxious to
receive so strong a recommendation to the Governor as should ensure on his part
a compliance with the wishes which you expressed in your former letter provided
they are consistent with the general interests of the Colony.
I am directed in reply to acquaint you that in the event of
any proposal for proceeding as a settler to the Cape being made by you &
accepted, Lord B. will readily recommend you to the Governor in terms perfectly
consistent with the testimonials which you have adduced from so many
respectable quarters of your respectability & qualifications and has no
doubt that you will receive every favorable consideration compatible with the
general interests of the Colony & the claims of other settlers. But in order to remove any erroneous
impression to which such a recommendation might give rise, Lord B. is desirous
that I should again explain to you before any definite proposal has been made
by you that he can not hold out to you an expectation that the Govt. can confer
on you any privileges not conceded to other settlers in a similar class with
yourself: or that it will be possible to abandon in your favor the right of
cutting timber which has been always heretofore reserved to the Crown.
I have only further to add that if it should be formally
your wish to proceed to the Cape it would be desirable that I should receive
from you as early as is convenient number & list of the persons whom you
propose to accompany you in order that Lord B. may have your proposal under his
consideration together with those many of the other persons who are equally
desirous of availing themselves of the offer held out in the circular letter of
the ___August
226
Crown Hotel
Friday 17
September 1819
Mr. PARKER presents
his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN, takes leave to send to him two letters
received from individuals desirous to proceed under Mr. P’s direction to the
Cape of Good Hope. Mr. PARKER has also received a letter from Mr.
Frederick CLARKE of Passage West,
Mr.
J. VANCOUVER, the elder brother of the celebrated Circumnavigator, although
advanced in years, wishes to join Mr. PARKER. The Lords Mayor has recommended this
scientific gentleman for his sound understanding and a comprehensive and
enlightened mind. His years above 60 are the only obstacle to his embarking in
such an arduous undertaking. But he has gone through great exercises with Mr. PARKER.
Mr. PARKER’s
house in
Mr. P takes
the liberty to send Mr. GOULBURN a small pamphlet which he procured yesterday
respecting the proposed emigration. A
230
past 3
o’clock
Tuesday 21st
September 1819
Mr. PARKER presents
his compliments to Mr. GOULBURN, takes leave to inclose him a copy of the Printed
Articles of Agreement which he proposes between him and the settlers who are to
be articled to him. This document which Mr. PARKER deems of great importance to the
successful establishment of one of the new settlements he hopes will meet the
approbation of Earl BATHURST and of Mr. GOULBURN.
Before any
copies be [printed?] off of these articles, which Mr. PARKER wishes to have done
tomorrow in order to transmit to Ireland, that no delay may ensue, he hopes
that Mr. GOULBURN at his leisure will have the goodness to peruse and as soon
as possible to signify whether the same be consonant with the views of the
Colonial Department.
Articles
of Agreement made this _________ Day of __________ in the Year of our
Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and __________. Between _______________ of
________ on the Part, and _________ of the other Part.
Witness, That the said ____________ has entered into the
service of the said ___________ in the term of ______ years from this day, on
the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned; that is to say :
I.
That the said ___________ shall and will serve the
said ______________ as a __________ At such place or places in the Colony of
the Cape of Good Hope, as the said ______________ may be located at for the
said term, to commence and be computed from the day of his arrival at such
place or places, when the pay of the said _____________ shall commence at the
rate of _________ per day, and that for every day which the said ____________
shall employ the said ____________ he shall be paid by the said ___________ and
the said wages, shall also be supplied with provisions from the stores,
according to the standard as fixed and allowed to the soldiers in the said
Colony by Government.
II.
That the said ___________ will permit the said
_____________ to work for himself as often as the affairs of him the said
______________ may allow, on the said _____________ accounting to the said
____________ for his provisions from the stores at ________ per day.
III.
That the working hours in each day shall be regulated
by the custom of the Colony, but shall not exceed the legal working time of ten
hours and an half in Great Britain.
IV.
That such provisions as the family of the said
_________ may require shall be furnished from the stores of the settlement by
the said ___________ and shall be charged to the account of the said
___________ at the current price of the district in which the settlement may be
established.
V.
That in case of accident or serious ill health
preventing the accustomed labor of the said ___________ he shall nevertheless
receive his full allowance of provisions from the stores, and also one half of
the average daily wages which he had been in the habit of earning during the
six preceding weeks before the accident or illness befell him.
VI.
That the said __________ shall have a plot of ground
on the site of the town intended to be built, containing not less than one
quarter of an acre for building himself a house, for which said land, and house
so to be built by the said _________ a grant in perpetuity shall be made, after
the expiration of seven years from the time it was located, to the said
_________ his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, by the said
_____________ on payment of a yearly rent at and after the rate of two pounds
sterling per acre, provided the said house be built according to a plan to be
made and approved of by the Colonial Government, or the said ___________. Or the said ____________ his heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns, shall have permission to take, cultivate
and occupy in lieu of his town allotment, one acre of land, at a distance not
exceeding -------- miles from the town, which said allotment shall from time to
time be augmented, according to the ability and exertions of the said ________
until it shall ultimately contain five acres, but no more.
VII.
That such allotment of one or more acres, not
exceeding five acres, shall be granted to him in perpetuity by the said
_____________ at the yearly reserved rent of two shillings sterling, British
money, per acre, but such rent is not to commence until after the expiration of
the first seven years, not until the first day of January or the first day of
July, subsequent to the anniversary of the settlers landing or arriving at the
settlement.
VIII.
That the said _____________ shall not be entitled to
receive more than one third of his wages in the money of the country, the other
two thirds being supplied to him from the stores in such tools, articles of
clothing or other necessaries as he may require, and for whatever balance which
may be in his favor at the end of each year or quarter, a bill shall be granted
to him by the said _________ to remit to his distant friends at the current
exchange of the country.
IX.
That in case the said _____________ shall neglect to
build a house according to the sixth article of this agreement within the
period of three years, on the plot of ground assigned to him in the town, the
said plot shall be forfeited and become the absolute property of the said
___________ his heirs, administrators, or assigns.
X.
That the said ______________ solemnly engages and
binds himself to the said ___________ that he will faithfully conform to and
strictly obey all rules and regulations for the maintenance of order, morality,
good fellowship and good conduct, which shall be made, approved of, and
recommended by the Gentlemen of the establishment consistently with the laws of
God, of man, and the laws and customs of the Colony.
XI.
That in case any dispute or altercation shall arise
between the said parties, the same shall be referred to two respectable and
disinterested persons, who shall have power to choose a third person as an
umpire, who decision shall on all occasions be binding on the parties, and have
the full force and decision of law.
XII.
That the said ____________ shall subscribe weekly
towards establishing a friendly society, with the other mechanics and
labourers, for creating a fund, not only for the payment of medical assistance
in case of accident or serious ill health, but for the purpose of assisting to
make up the other half of the wages of which the sufferer would stand in need
under any bodily hurt or temporary sickness.
XIII.
That in case of the death of the said _____________
the said ____________ hereby binds himself to work for the heirs, executors and
administrators of the said _____________ and in all things to conform himself
to their orders, rules and regulations in the same manner as if the said
_____________ had not departed this life.
XIV.
That in case of the death of the said _______________
during the passage or during this contract, his family shall be entitled to a
grant of five acres of land, subject to the conditions of the said seventh
article.
WITNESS the hands of the parties.
232
Crown Hotel
22 Sept 1819
Sir,
I take
leave to submit to you for the consideration of Lord BATHURST a listing of 124
individuals with their families wishing to emigrate under my direction to the
Mr.
R.B. SHEARES, who has most cordially associated himself with me in this enterprize,
proceeded to
As a
settler accompanied by 100 artificers, mechanics and labourers, I am prepared
to conform to the conditions of the printed circulars. But as an individual
with some pretensions from much experience, I am also ready to devote my time
in promoting the general interest of the Colonial Government at the Cape of
Good Hope conformably to any specific directions I may be favoured with by Lord
BATHURST towards the establishment of morality, industry good order and regular
conduct in the District of the Knysna, or in any other in which we may be
located under the distinct understanding
that at present exists in respect to my future views
and ulterior objects.
As a
settler I took leave yesterday to submit to your consideration a copy of the
Articles to be entered into with the individuals who may contract to serve me,
and which if it meets Lord BATHURST’s approbation I propose to recommend to
other parties taking out settlers like myself.
It is
not only my one natural desire and most earnest wish but that of my able and
intelligent associate Mr SHEARES (who has been so strongly recommended by Mr.
ARBUTHNOT to Lord BATHURST) to establish our operations as firmly as possible
on such principles of philanthropy and fair dealing as are likely to promote
good fellowship and order, without which it would be vain to expect a successful
issue to the enterprize. This we trust will meet the approbation of his
Lordship and yourself as it has already done that of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent in a manner so highly gratifying to me.
Be
pleased to provide me with six official envelopes for the purpose of
transmitting to R.N. PARKER Esq, Passage West, Ireland, 200 copies of the
Articles of Agreement that they may be there executed without delay and correct
lists returned to me of the individuals engaged to emigrate. I shall then
furnish specific lists of the articled settlers and of those other individuals
who may be disposed to proceed with me. [Transcriber’s
note: R.N.PARKER was his brother Richard Neville PARKER]
As
the period prescribed for sailing is fast approaching, I take the liberty to
submit that the shipping for 800 men, women and children be immediately engaged
to take in stores in the River and proceed by the 15th or 20th
of October to Cork.
There
cannot be the smallest doubt of that number of unexceptionable characters being
ready to embark in all November at
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient and very humble st.
Wm PARKER
Individuals wishing to emigrate to the Cape of Good Hope
from
|
No. |
Names |
Residence |
Trades |
Age |
Wives |
Boys |
Girls |
Total
No.Family |
|
1 |
John
FOLEY |
Passage West |
House Carpenter |
44 |
Barbara |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
2 |
John HERBERT |
Macroom |
Do. |
29 |
Catherine |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
James SWEENEY |
Passage West |
Do. |
32 |
Ann |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
4 |
Michael CORKERY |
Do. |
Do. |
30 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
5 |
James O’CALLAHAN |
House of Industry |
Do. |
44 |
Deborah |
|
|
2 |
|
6 |
James FINN (1) |
Passage West |
Do. |
39 |
Catharine |
2 |
3 |
7 |
|
7 |
James FINN (2) |
Do. |
Do. |
36 |
Marg’t |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
8 |
Michael FITZPATRICK |
Do. |
Do. |
21 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
9 |
Michael CONNOLLY |
|
Do. |
21 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
10 |
William PLUMLEY |
Do. |
Cabinet Maker |
38 |
Julia |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
11 |
William COSTEN |
Young Hall |
Do. |
43 |
Widower |
|
|
1 |
|
12 |
John CALLUANE |
Passage West |
Sawyer |
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
Edw’d CALLUANE |
Do. |
Do. |
38 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
14 |
Nicholas DUGGAN |
|
Smith |
23 |
Mary |
|
|
2 |
|
15 |
Michael DONNEVAN |
Do. |
Do. |
22 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
16 |
Michael SULLIVAN |
Do. |
Do. |
22 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
17 |
Henry HUXLEY |
|
Locksmith |
28 |
Johanna |
1 |
|
3 |
|
18 |
John DUGGAN |
Cloyne |
Labourer |
21 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
19 |
Daniel DELANEY |
Passage West |
Do. |
26 |
Mary |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
20 |
William TAYLOR |
Do. |
Do. |
35 |
Eleanor |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
21 |
John COLLER |
Do. |
Do. |
30 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
22 |
John KIRK |
Do. |
Do. |
36 |
Johanna |
3 |
|
5 |
|
23 |
Michael GEARY |
Monkstown |
Do. |
22 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
24 |
William ADAMS |
|
Tobacco Spinner |
19 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
25 |
Robert QUINLAN |
Do. |
Do. |
20 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
26 |
John RYAN |
Do. |
Labourer |
21 |
Eleanor |
|
|
2 |
|
27 |
William COGAN |
HillsTown |
Do. |
21 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
28 |
Michael CURRY |
Do. |
Do. |
24 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
29 |
Coleman HARRINGTON |
Cloyne |
Do. |
17 |
Do. |
|
|
1 |
|
30 |
James REARDON |
|
Do. |
56 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
31 |
Thos. MURPHY |
Do. |
Do. |
28 |
Johanna |
2 |
|
5 |
|
32 |
Richard |
Passage West |
Do. |
33 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
33 |
William CONNELL |
Do. |
Do. |
40 |
Mary |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
34 |
John
TAYLOR |
Little |
Do. |
18 |
Batchelor |
|
|
|
|
35 |
John POOR |
Do. |
Do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
John YOUNG |
Do. |
Do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
37 |
Tim’y
LEARY |
Do. |
Do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
38 |
William BUCKLEY |
Do. |
Do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
David HARVEY |
Do. |
Do. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
Wm.
F? |
Passage West |
Militia Man |
21 |
|
|
1 |
2 |
|
41 |
John
MOORE |
Do. |
Do. |
19 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
42 |
Stephen McKENDRICK |
|
Labourer |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
William
|
Do. |
Victualler |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
44 |
John MORIARTY |
Do. |
Do, |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
45 |
William |
House of Industry |
Sail Maker |
40 |
Batchelor |
|
|
|
|
46 |
Henry MILLER |
Do. |
|
25 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
47 |
Jer’h REGAN |
Passage West |
Shoe Maker |
36 |
Mary |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
48 |
John BULLEN |
Do. |
Do. |
25 |
Mary |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
49 |
Richard EVANS |
|
Do. |
29 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
50 |
Patrick JURRENS? |
Seamount |
Seaman |
35 |
Ellen |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
51 |
Dan’l |
Passage West |
Baker |
32 |
Mary |
|
|
2 |
|
52 |
Michael HINCH |
Do. |
Do. |
41 |
Mary |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
53 |
Wm. SANDIFORD |
|
House Carpenter |
20 |
Batchelor |
|
|
1 |
|
54 |
Thos. LAWRENCE |
Do. |
Cooper |
20 |
Do. |
|