NEWCOMBE, Robert, 1820 Settler

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 883

No.1 Coombe Street

Exeter Devon

9 Sept 1819

To the Gentlemen Committee for the Coloney Affairs

Gentlemen,

As there is a vast number of famileys in this western district more perhaps than we are acquainted with we have to ask a few questions relating to it, that is when the vessels is expected to sail and were from, as supposing within ourselves that there might be a vessel sent round here or near here to take us, as of course we shall want to carry some bagage as it would attend we here a greater expence than those upward to take from here to London, and what quantaty of bagage be allowed to take conformidable to Earl BARTHURST's circular, secondly wither some of a talley will be allowed to take a few young cows with calfs as it might be a good thing for us and the Island for to have our own sort or to mix the breed; as thinking it would be advantagous to take those things out with young for the binifitt of the Island, thirdly wither we are found implements of husbantry at first to cultivate the ground, as if not thinking it would be best to take a few ?sules? from this country to breake the ground, fourthly were the money must be paid into, here or to London, and a shedule with it containing names famley &c &c that is going out and supposing a person takes out two agrycultrists besides self there wither self is not to [obscured] the land allotted for each Head by putting it to cultivation as soon as possible and paying the money for them and lastly wither it is not most advantagous for any one that had a few pounds by them to pay it into your hands or to your order to have it again safe when there & don't know what passes there, to conclude Gentlemen by your oblidging us with an answer to this as soon as possible

From your humble servants

Robert NEWCOMBE and others

[Transcriber's note: In stark contrast to the previous letter, the next three letters are in copperplate with good spelling. He obviously found someone to write them for him!]

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 894

Exeter

18^th Sept 1819

My Lord,

Having received two printed circulars in answer to a letter which I addressed to the committee, which circulars do not give me nay information as from what place or port the vessels will sail which will convey the people who are going from this place to the Cape of Good Hope, nor do they mention into whose hands or at what place the Deposit Money is to be paid for such people and families as will go out. I beg to request that your Lordship will give me information on these important points.

Perceiving in the letter that I received that a moderate supply of articles and necessaries will be allowed to be taken out by the conductor of intended settlers, I should thank your Lordship also to inform me whether I may be allowed to take out a few head of cattle as I presume they would be both useful and advantageous to us.

There are to the number of 15 persons whom I shall take out provided it meets the approbation of Government. I would refer you for any information respecting my responsibility to any respectable gentleman or citizen of this city & even to the Chief Magistrate or to Mr. R. [NEWMAN? –obscured in fold] one of the Representatives for this place.

By your Lordship's deigning to answer the aforementioned questions as speedily as suits your Lordship's convenience you will oblige, my Lord

Your Lordship's very humble servant

Robert NEWCOMBE

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 900

Exeter

28^th Sept 1819

My Lord,

Having received two letters from your Lordship's office in answer to a letter which I directed to your Lordship, one of which being a circular and the other a letter signed ‘Henry GOULBURN', in which it is stated that the age names &c of the individuals intending to embark with me for the Cape of Good Hope must be sent you and in answer to my questions it is mentioned that no information with propriety can be given me until my proposal has been offered and my person as conductor accepted.

Now I beg to state to your Lordship that should I be accepted as an eligible person to conduct others to the Cape of Good Hope I will conform to all the rules and conditions upon which His Majesty's Government have offered to grant lands on the Colony.

To the number of fifteen are ready now to embark under my superintendence and had I been accepted as an eligible person before I should at least have that number augmented to 20 and which number I am now sure I shall conduct to the Cape provided I am accepted and that an answer of my being accepted is sent me early.

In my last letter I refered you as to my respectability and responsibility but should not that reference be deemed sufficient I beg to refer you to any respectable tradesman or inhabitant of this city who I am quite confident will give you satisfactory answers.

Please to be so good as to let me know Government's determination as to my responsibility & eligibility as early as possible and if accepted from whence the people going out to the colony residing in Exeter will sail and also as nearly as possible what time – the answer to these questions is of extreme importance as on them will rest the regulation of personal affairs.

I have the honor to be my Lord

Your Lordship's very obed't servant

Robert NEWCOMBE

Name and Description of the Person taking out the Settlers

Robert NEWCOMBE of Exeter

Cooper & Farmer

[Transcriber's note: The John PERKINS mentioned above is the John PARKIN listed as the eventual leader of this Party]

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 907

Exeter

10^th October 1819

My Lord,

About a fortnight since I had the honor to address your Lordship again respecting my wish to proceed from hence as a conductor to and settle at the Cape of Good Hope and in which I inclosed a schedule (the form I received from your Lordship's office inclosed in your answer to a former letter of mine) of those persons whom it was my intention if consonant with your wishes to take out, and to which I requested as early an answer as convenient from you as to whether or not you thought me a proper person to go out as conductor.

Having not as yet received an answer from your Lordship to that effect I beg to state that it is highly necessary I should be informed thereof as soon as possible as those persons who are ready to proceed to the Cape with me are labouring under great anxiety and suspense, they being at this moment placed in a very awkward and unpleasant situation as they cannot enter into any engagement or service here until you have decided and sent an account of your decision as to my eligibility.

I remain my Lord

Your Lordship's very humble servant

Rob't NEWCOMBE

PS Please also to inform me from what port the vessel or vessels will sail which will convey the persons from Exeter to the Colony. This question is of high importance and consequently I doubt not your Lordship will be good enough to give me an answer to it.

National Archives, Kew CO48/44, 931

[Transcriber's note: This last letter seems to be in his own handwriting again, though his spelling has improved]

Exeter

22 December 1819

My Lord,

Having received an order from your office for we the party of settlers from Exeter to go to Portsmouth and adress our selves to L. R. CHEESMAN agent for transports at that place we have to inform your lordship we have hired a vessel from this port and put all our things on board ready for sailing to Portsmouth which we expect to go thro the [works?] to morrow as the waters here have been to high those two days before. Please your lordship I have to ask a favour that is I Robert NEWCOMBE of Exeter going out as a settler to the Cape of Good Hope have paid into the hand of Mr. J. PARKIN the conductor of our party the deposits for other persons going out as settlers with me which deposits have been paid to Mr. HILL by your order. One by the name of C. CANTABURY now laying ill for some time past and not fit to go. Wether your lordship will not grant me to take another person by the name of Christopher HARWARD agriculturist to go with me in the room of C. CANTABURY as I have provided prior to his illness with such implements of husbandry &c as we should require in the cultivation of such ground as would allotted us. May I beg your lordship to have the goodness to adress an answer to this for me Post Office Portsmouth

And I remain with respect

Your Lordship's most humble servant

Robert NEWCOMBE