Shawe, Samuel Edward

Klein Valley 23 Oct 1820
Sir
My signature being affixd to a Petition intended
to be presented to His Excellency the Governor, I beg leave to
state my reason as an individual for intruding myself
on His Excellencys notice.
On Mr Parker allotting me a portion of Land in the
latter end of July I immediately commenced ploughing for
Wheat and had a few acres sown, my House nearly built and
some of Garden Seed in the ground before the liberal offer
of removal to the zuerveldt was made by His Majestys Government
Being thus forward together with having purchasd
a Waggon, Oxen and other Stock with farming utensils &c &c
and myself in a delicate state of health and having a Wife &
young Child not recoverd from the effects of a long voyage
and fatiguing journey from Saldanah Bay, were the circumstances
that precluded me from embracing the proposal;
and altho at that period I had flatterd myself that my endevour
would be crownd with success, I have now the painful task
to inform you that all my prospects for this year at least are
blasted by the entire failure of every sort of seed that I have
sown owing I believe to the lateness of the season and the
injurious effects of the Salt with which the Soil here is highly
impregnated. Under these circumstances I felt it my duty
to sign the petition and I trust your Excellency will think my case
worthy of his consideration when I inform him that I have
four
Henry Ellis Exqr &c &c

families to support who will be left entirely destitute
unless the fostering hand of Government is extended to our relief
I also beg to state that I have only 25 Acres of cultivatable Land
out of my entire grant, the remainder being mountain.
Should His Excellency be pleasd to allot me a portion of Land
in any part of the Colony that would reward industry
I have no doubt but I should succeed under the auspices of the
Colonial Government.
Mr Elliss affability to the Settlers who were so fortunate
as to have an interview with him emboldens me to intreat
that he will have the goodness to represent the contents of this
letter to His Excellency in as favourable a point of view as
possible.
Trusting the subject will plead my apology for the
trouble I have thus occasioned you
I have the honor to remain,
Sir,
Your most obedt humble Servt
S.E. Shawe