RECORDS OF THE CAPE COLONY. [Original.] Letter from MR. RICHARD WATSON to EARL BATHURST. WESLEYAN MISSION HOUSE, 77 HATTON GARDEN, MY LORD, I am directed by the Committee of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, to represent to Your Lordship, that they are about to send out an additional married Missionary among the Little Namacqua Hottentots, on the North West border of the Cape Colony, where three of their Missionaries under the sanction and encouragement of Lord Charles Somerset have been for some time settled, and have introduced agriculture and the useful arts among the people of those tribes. The Committee had prepared to send out the new Missionary to the Namacquas, and his wife (Mr. and Mrs. Kay,) by a private vessel; but understanding that a company of the settlers, chiefly members of the Methodist Society, are going out in the Brilliant, Transport, who will have no minister among them during their voyage (their own Minister being on board the Aurora,) they take the liberty to solicit from Your Lordship that Mr. and Mrs. Kay may be allowed to proceed to the Cape in the Brilliant, in order that the Settlers who are going out in this vessel, may not be without a person regularly to perform divine service during the voyage. The Committee being anxious that as these persons are members of the same religious body with themselves, and many of them young persons, that they should be kept under the influence of religious sentiments, and go with an unspotted character into the new Colony. I have &c. XIII. (Signed) RICHARD WATSON, Secretary. B [Original.] Letter from J. POTTER MACQUEEN, ESQRE., to RIETZEMONT HOUSE, January 21st 1820. MY DEAR SIR,-In consequence of the last conversation I had the honor of holding with you in Downing Street I take the liberty of communicating the result of my inquiries in Scotland upon the subject of Emigration. Along the shores of Argyle, Ross, Inverness, and throughout the whole of the Western Islands a great degree of distress has prevailed, occasioned by various causes. The population greatly exceeds the demand for labour, and an anxiety consequently prevails to quit a Country where no adequate subsistence can be procured. Agents from Russia, America, and Canada are now in these Counties, but the success of their exertions must depend on the measures Lord Bathurst may be pleased to adopt. The natives of the Highlands are naturally suspicious. Slow in attaching themselves, but where an attachment once takes place, devoted to the object. I have received assurances from several gentlemen of property that were I going out, they would send either a son or a brother with capital sufficient to settle their own distressed clansmen without any expense to Government, and, from the most moderate computation, I am convinced that not less than 4000 souls would follow me. An honest laborious educated and attached Population would then be formed, and the men would, under their respective leaders, readily enter into a Fencible Corps capable of defending the colony and enabling Government to dispense with the costs of a large military establishment. I took the liberty of addressing a few lines to Lord Bathurst respecting a Petition, which most likely you have seen. The state of this part of the Country is truly deplorable. I yesterday presided at a Bench of Magistrates at Ampthill, and it was heartrending to witness the clamorous entreaties of the Paupers on one side, and on the other, the loud remonstrances of the Farmers, who declare their utter inability to provide employment and support for the People, when they get about 6/6 per bushel for their corn. At this moment we have nearly 2000 young men between 16 and 25 years of age who are actually existing upon 4/ per week. Of course where there is misery there is seldom morality, early and improvident marriages are constantly taking place without mutual regard, but with the view to obtain a larger rate of relief from the Parish. This is one of the leading causes of the encrease of Population. In this Parish alone our numbers have encreased from 705 in 1811 to 1085 in 1819, our funerals average 7 yearly. On my arrival in Town I shall be happy to consult with you upon the probable extent and objects of the Parliamentary Motions, and as I believe you have no other member equally conversant in the affairs of the Colony, I shall willingly arrange with you to take my share in the debates which may ensue. This weather has completely destroyed our sporting. The pheasants are distressed not so much from hunger as they are well supplied, but from want of shelter. I had expected a large party for the last week, but I have now no hopes of them. Let me beg of you to excuse the trouble I am constantly giving you and to believe the sincerity with which I remain &c. Letter from MR. WILLIAM PARKER to HENRY GOULBURN, ESQRE. SHIP East Indian, COVE OF CORK, 22nd January 1820. SIR, With reference to my letter of the 3rd Inst. to which I have not as yet been favoured with an answer, I take leave to inform you that the extreme severity of the weather prevented a few of the Settlers joining this Ship here until yesterday, and that from deaths, marriages, and various other circumstances that have occurred among the Individuals who were to proceed with me to the Cape of Good Hope, I was obliged to make a few more alterations in the List of Settlers. I have now the honour to transmit to you three fair copies of the number actually on board, who have been mustered by Lieut. Wolrige, R.N., agent of Transports, and also transmit to Lieut. Lewis the Resident Agent here a fair copy of the same. On a consultation with Rear Adml. Sir Josias Rowley and Lt. Louis it has been deemed most expedient to prevent delay and expense that the East Indian should proceed to Sea, although I have not received a dispatch for General Lord Charles Somerset, but which I take leave to solicit may be sent by the first ship to His Excellency. I am to crave your reference to my letter of the 25th Ulto. wherein the cause of the number of able bodied men being seventysix instead of seventy-five is fully explained. I have &c. Letter from MR. WILLIAM PARKER to HENRY GOULBURN, ESQRE. SHIP East Indian, CORK HARBOUR, 23rd January, 1820. Mr. Wm. Parker presents his compliments to Mr. Goulburn, takes leave to send him three copies of the Rules, which with the very kind assistance of Mr. Wilberforce and several other distinguished and benevolent characters, he has framed for the management of the Settlers proceeding under his direction to the Cape of Good Hope. The wind has unfortunately come round to the Southward, and it almost blows a hurricane. Mr. Parker does not intend sleeping on shore, that no farther alteration should take place in the list of his Settlers. He requests that Mr. Goulburn will have the kindness to forward the inclosed to Lord Ennismore and Mr. Macaulay. [Enclosure.] Rules for the maintenance of Order, Morality and Good Conduct, among the Settlers proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, under the direction of William Parker. RULES. I. That as the belief of the Principles and obedience to the Precepts of Christianity form the basis of social order and happiness, the undersigned pledge themselves to a reverence of the Holy Scriptures,—a strict attention to moral and religious duties, the due observance of the Lord's Day,—a regular attendance on public worship,-and the religious education of their children. II. That each of the undersigned who shall be convicted before the Committee hereinafter mentioned, on the testimony of any two Settlers, of blasphemous, profane or indecent language, or behaviour, -of drunkenness, gaming, notorious neglect of public worship, or profanation of the Lord's Day, shall, for every offence, forfeit and pay as follows, viz. Being an articled Servant One rix dollar, Two rix dollars. III. That as sobriety is the best auxiliary to health, industry and happiness, no houses for the sale of spirituous, vinous or malt liquors, either wholesale or by retail, or in the way of drams; shall, on any account, be permitted in the Settlement; save and except at any inn or tavern for the accommodation of travellers, for which liquors are to be procured from a public store to be established in the Settlement, for the general supply thereof. From this store, each of the undersigned engages to take whatever quantity of liquors he or she may require, and carry it home and enjoy it in the society of his or her family and friends: as, by adopting this course, much of the evils will be avoided which have caused the numerous misfortunes and degradation of those classes of society in Europe, whose labour and industry are their chief support. And each of the undersigned, who shall be convicted, as in manner specified, of selling, or retailing, or buying, or causing to be |