Woodcock, Robert

Golders Green, Hendon
July 1819
Sir
It being my intention to make application
to His Majestys Government for a grant of
land at the Cape of Good Hope, and to take
out a number of Settlers under my direction,
I beg leave to Submit the following
queries, which I hope may not be deemed
impertinent & shall be very thankful
for such information as I may be favoured
with in reply. I am Sir
Your mo. Ob. Hble servt
Robert Woodcock

_ Queries _
1st What form of application will be required
by Government on the part of Settlers who may
be desirous of emigrating to the Cape? _
2d What accommodation will be afforded on
the passage to the Settlers generally _ Will the
head of each little Colony & his family be entitled
to a Cabin passage or any different accommdn
from others? _
3d Is it intended that emigrants shall be
landed near the Spot upon which they are
to be settled, or on the other hand, is it probable
that they may have a journey to make by land
_ If so _ to what distance, and at what expence?

4th As I understand from the best information
of writers and others that there is much difference
in the quality of land in the Colony & that even
in the same neighbourhood many barren and
otherwise ineligable spots frequently occur
I am disirous of information as to the Grants
or allotments that are proposed to be made
to Settlers, as for instance whether any choice
as to local situation will be allowed them
or whether they are expected to locate themselves
on a certain allotment, whether adapted
for profitable cultivation or otherwise _ the importance
of some information on this point induces
me to entreat your kind attention to the Subject
knowing as I do the anxiety with which it
is contemplated by many _ Fuel, water, fertility
of soil, healthfulness of location & facility
of Communication with the Towns of the Colony
are naturally most important considerations,
and I therefore trust I may be excused for
Saying so much respecting them ? _
5th Will the Settlers be governed by the laws
of England and in particular I request to be
informed whither Trial by Juery is now
established in the colony ? _
6th By what authority are the colonial
taxes levied, what may be their present amount
and what limit if any to the liability
of settlers to the expence of making & repairing roads?

7th Are there any Colonial
Duties on the import or export of merchandise?
8th Will the head or director of each 10 or more
Settlers be allowed to make his own terms with
the persons he takes out, in respect to their
division of the land, or will he on the contrary
be confined to his equal proportion of only 100 acres ? _
9th Will Government under any circumstances
be induced to make somewhat
larger grants to intelligent Settlers, than 100
Acres._ & how may such extension be obtained ?
10th If a proposal be made to Government
and accepted, how soon afterwards would
the Colonists probably be sent out from England ? _
11th Will Government accommodate the Settlers
with Tents or any other mode of Shelter until
they can erect Habitations for themselves ?
or with any implements of Husbandry?
12th Is that part of the colony where the new
Settlers are to be established near the Coast
or navigable River & how supplied with the
essential articles of Wood & Water ?
13th If a considerable number of Settlers should
agree to emigrate together from Ireland, would
Government send a ship to Cork or Waterford to take
them out ?