PITCHER, William
394
Odcombe
Near Yeovil
29 November 1819
My Lord,
In consequence of hearing Government has it in contemplation of forming a settlement on the S.W. [sic] Coast of Africa somewhere about Algoa Bay. It induced me to address Lord SIDMOUTH requesting to be made acquainted with the allowance (if any) made by Government to Persons disposed to emigrate there. Last evening I received his Lordship’s answer thro’ Mr. HOBHOUSE referring me to your Lordship as the Head of the Colonial Department.
You will therefore highly oblige me if you will so far condescend to favour me with the particulars. The land there I hear and indeed from what I have read in Dampier’s Voyages Around the World and who was well acquainted with the nature of soils and was a native of the adjoining Parish, is wonderfully productive and similar to this, which produces as fine (if not superior) flax and hemp to any in the Kingdom.
It is therefore my Lord in the event of your answer probable that others as well as myself may be disposed to introduce the growth of this article into that part of the globe. Your Lordship’s condescension will oblige
Your very humble servant
William PITCHER