WATSON, Thomas (2)

National Archives, Kew CO48/46, 485

Bilton, near Hull

28^th September 1819

My Lord,

By zeal in dissuading emigrants proposing to sail from the port of Hull, for some years past, to the American States, or at least in anxiously recommending preference of the foreign dominions of the Crown, I have drawn upon myself, it seems, a degree of ridicule and have excited opinion that I am authorized by Government to explain the proper modes of procedure and assist persons designing themselves for the intended new settlement near the Cape of Good Hope. Now [obscured] my Lord while so many people are in the humour into which they are at present deluded, I fear their disappointment at my inability among [obscured] men's in the country to give communications has been in some instances construed into an interpretation that I must lament. If therefore any detail of requisite instruction should be deemed by your Lordship proper to be furnished to such residents in various situations as are willing that applicants be referred to them, the means I apprehend may save trouble in the Colonial Office may promote the benevolent intention of Government and sometimes relieve great solicitude among the objects of it. I for one, my Lord, would be happy to receive such papers as your Lordship may please to order to be transmitted, and would make use of them conformably to your command: indeed I trust I should be so, in discharging any other [obscured] duty of my sphere consistent with my time of life and infirmities. The particulars mostly enquired of are – the time, where and the ports where the parties are to be in readiness; whether they may immediately now pay their deposits to country banks on account of his Majesty's treasury; how much property in [obscured] goods and tools they will be allowed to take out; what sort of necessaries it is, in which their deposits will be repaid after arrival, and of course what sorts of [obscured] will then be found they should have provided.

As the person who thus addresses you is a total stranger it must be necessary yet [to say] that he is, and has been for a long series of years, the resident incumbent of two parishes of very large extent and population in the immediate vicinity of Hull and that he may probably stand very well in the opinion of the lower ranks of people around him, particularly as to his goodwill towards them. May I desire you will conceive me to be, Sir

Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant

Thos. WATSON

PS Whatever particular description of persons may be specified as wanted for the Colony I have no doubt they can be supplied

[Note from GOULBURN]

Send him for his information copies of the letters which have been issued on the subject of emigration to the Cape, acquainting him however at the same time that from the immense number of proposals that have been already received an adequate selection has been made of those whom it is proposed for the Government to accommodate during the present years & that consequently no more proposals can for the present be accepted