SPEAR, F.W.
783
Ilminster
July 28th 1819
My Lord,
Having seen an official letter containing the regulations to be observed by those who emigrate to this country to the Cape of Good Hope, I have to observe that I wish to know if it requires any (or how much) capital besides the sum that is to be deposited in the hands of Government for each family according to its number as specified in your official letter; and if the person so engaging to carry out the families is to be invested with the 100 acres of land for each family, and to support him there as his servants, or whether the several 100 acres are to be considered the property of the heads of the family subject to such conditions as are contained in the said official letter.
I have also to request that you will be pleased to inform me if the implements of husbandry are to be provided by the person who takes out the families or by Government, as I suppose they must be carried from England. I have further to trespass on your time to know if officers on permanent Half Pay are allowed to emigrate there, and if they are permitted to hold their Half Pay and to have the same number of acres granted to them (according to their rank) as is allotted to those who emigrate to America.
I have the honor to be my Lord
Your Lordship’s most obed’t humble serv’t
F.W. SPEAR
1st Lieut. Rl. Marines