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From: "Sue Mackay" <>
Subject: [ZA-EC] Settler Correspondence (1826) - Frederick CARLISLE
Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 11:41:56 +0100


Transcribed from CO48/86 at the National Archives in Kew, London

95
Belmont
6th March 1826
Sir,
May I beg to call your attention again to the subject of the
Memorial of the British Settlers at the Cape of Good Hope. My reason for
troubling you with the present communication arises from uncertainty as to
whether you may not be awaiting a further application from me before you
proceed in that subject. The last time I had the honor of an interview with
Mr, HORTON he informed me that nothing more could then be done, in
consequence of which intimation I left town and have not yet returned. As a
guide therefore to my doing so, may I presume to request, Sir, the favor of
your informing me when Earl BATHURST will be at leisure to take the question
into consideration, for should his Lordship be pleased to comply with the
wishes of the Settlers by recommending their application to the favorable
notice of His Majesty's Government, I have no doubt that many persons would
now be glad to avail themselves of the opportunity of removing to one of His
Majesty's colonies.
If I am not trespassing too far, Sir, on your attention, I will take
the liberty of saying a few words relative to the possibility of reimbursing
HM Government for any sums which it may be thought advisable to advance for
the purpose of transporting British labourers to the Cape of Good Hope. It
will be, I fear, a most difficult matter to point out any mode by which such
reimbursement could be affected on the part of the settlers, or secured to
the satisfaction of Government. In fact after the most mature consideration
I strongly regard it as being next to impracticable. The rate of wages
stated in the documents I have already laid before you being as high as the
settlers can possibly offer without precluding entirely the probability of
profitable returns, it cannot be supposed that they are capable of anything
more than the payment and maintenance of the emigrants when landed in the
Colony - their funds being so reduced (by various causes, with the nature of
which you are probably, Sir, in some measure already acquainted) as to
render it extremely difficult for them to proceed in their undertaking. On
the other hand if we are to look to the labourers themselves for repayment,
the subject appears involved in equal difficulty. Considering that the term
for which it is proposed to indenture them is only three years (for I take
it there can be no security after the term of indenture has expired) if an
instalment amounting to one third of the expence incurred upon each
individual should be deducted by the employer from the amount of wages due
to the labourer at the end of each year, the remaining sum would be
considerably too trifling to induce people to leave this country, whatever
might be the distress of their circumstances, or whatever representations
were made to them of the advantages they would reap after their term of
servitude was expired from the encouragement held out by the Colony to
labouring population in general. Even this method will apply merely to that
portion of the emigrants who are to receive wages, and not to apprentices
who are to receive clothing only, consequently if feasible would be by no
means complete. Again were this or any similar one adopted, a difficulty
would arise respecting the security for the money advanced, and as the only
apparent and tangible person would be the individual who conducts the
emigration it appears to me that to become personally liable for the whole
amount would be a responsibility by far too great for any individual to
incur.
I have much now, Sir, to offer on the subject but will not now
further encroach upon your valuable time, but as I cannot set forth or
elucidate any plan by which the desired object can be attained my future
applications must be appeals to the often-tried and never failing generosity
of HM Government.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obed't humble servant
Fred. CARLISLE

97
10 Grays Inn Square
23rd May 1826
Sir,
In response to the proceedings of the Committee of Emigration
relative to the proposition given in by me, as it appears there is
considerable disapprobation manifested of the scheme therein detailed of an
Emigration to the Cape of Good Hope, I am now rather at a loss how to act,
and a desire of obtaining some information for my future guidance is the
occasion of my troubling you with the present communication.
If it should appear that Government are not hostile to the principle
but only to the particular plan of the proposed emigration, may I beg the
favour of your informing me whether, upon learning the views of Government
on the subject, it would be advisable for me to submit any such altered and
amended proposition as shall in its detail be more conformable to those
views, or whether it will be the pleasure of Government that the Colonial
Department do lay down some rule whereby the same shall be conducted.
I hope Sir you will excuse any apparent anxiety on my part to obtain
as early information as possible of the probable issue of my proposition as
the expence and loss of time incurred since leaving the Cape will be to me
of material consequence before I can return thither, and I should be much
obliged by your stating if there is any probability(provided Government
should finally reject the application) that my Lord BATHURST may think such
expenditure and loss of time worthy of remuneration.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obed't humble servant
Fred. CARLISLE

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