SHEPHERD, William, 1825

National Archives, Kew, CO48/74, 379

My Lord,

Permit me to address your Lordship on behalf of ninety three persons whose petition I presented to your Lordship through the medium of the Colonial Office sent from the Rt. Hon'ble Lord Charles SOMERSET. In an interview I have had with Mr. HAY I was informed that the petitioners' request would not be complied with except some engagement was entered into on the part of the settlers, or some portion of the large wages his Lordship speaks of in his dispatches was set aside for the reimbursing of Government for the expence.

Permit me my Lord to say (as one whom they have appointed to speak in their behalf; and one who from my long residence and sufferings amongst them speak feelingly) that I am not prepared to make any offer in their behalf; & few of them are in a condition to make it; give me leave to state to your Lordship that the settlers of South Africa are not on a level with the settlers of other colonies owing to the visitations of Providence which blasted the crops the first four years, added to the loss of cattle by the depredations of the Caffres which reduced many to beggary; also the flood which happened in the year 1823 which swept away the hopes of many more: from this low estate your Lordship will perceive they have had but the last year & present of prosperity and that their savings must have been wholly [employed] & will be for some time in recovering their losses and providing houses to receive their families in, in hopes your Lordship's liberal government will again unite them to their long absent wives & children.

In testimony of these facts my Lord allow me to inclose for your perusal the “Report of the Committee at Cape Town for the Relief of the Distresses Settlers” * and the annexed list with the names of the petitioners, with their families and [employees], by which your Lordship will perceive that the bulk of them are of that class most calculated to increase the prosperity of the Colony, & in recommendation of which your Lordship has the signatures of the Landrosts & gentlemen of the District.

The petitioners feel grateful for all the kindness & attention your Lordship's government has bestowed on them, but still feel that anxious [solicitude?] for their families rejoining them (many of whom are a burthen to the public here & in Ireland & that the selling of their little all would be insufficient to pay the expence of their transport) which makes them thus appeal to the humanity of the Home Government for the accomplishment of their wishes, without which the good intentions of Government in sending them out will be frustrated.

I am my Lord

Your Lordship's most obed't humble serv't

Wm. SHEPHERD

*[Transcriber's Note: Distressed Settlers Report for 1825 attached to this correspondence - transcribed separately, and found under D, post 1825]

[enclosed]

Copy of Signatories to a Memorial of Settlers praying for their Wives, Children and Relatives

to be sent to them in South Africa