Four
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PAPERS RELATIVE TO EMIGRATION OF
CHINESE LABOURERS.
the contrary, justly regards the permanent welfare of the enfranchised negroes as dependent upon the preservation of "the fixed capital at present existing in the sugar colonies;" and further declares that, "without the aid to be drawn from a foreign supply of labour, much of that capital will become comparatively useless," and that in addition to the very serious loss attendant on such an extinction of property, would be the still greater evil that the colonies must retrograde in wealth and civilization beyond the power of recovery within any assignable period." Nearly two years have elapsed since that Despatch was presented to Parliament; the proprietors in these colonies, confidently trusting that the principles it so clearly explains would long ere now have been applied to their relief, have continued the struggle, at enormous sacrifices, to maintain their cultivation; and still the remedy is denied. It is possible, indeed, that the appearance of partial success, resulting from the costly efforts which have been made under this expectation, may have had some influence in retarding the concession; and it would almost seem that nothing short of the actual abandonment of their properties will prove that they have been cultivated at a loss. This Committee will now only add to the representations they have already made on this head, that they are prepared to furnish your Lordship with any evidence, or to enter upon any investigation, that may be required to confirm them. If it could have been believed that Her Majesty's Government would persist in the prohibitory policy hitherto pursued towards the West India Colonies, the capital and credit which have partially sustained them would at once have been withdrawn, and the truth rendered manifest.
Whether immigration may be successfully encouraged, and from what sources immigrants may come, are questions separate from the permission to convey them. Adverting to the Despatch to which I have already referred, I beg to assure your Lordship that the West India body cordially accept the rule there laid down, that all emigrants shall be, in the fullest sense of the term, free agents." They cannot, however, regard Her Majesty's Indian subjects as enjoying this freedom of action while they are prohibited from entering into engagements which they conceive, and which certainly would be, for their advantage. Free agency should have the same meaning in the East as in the West Indies. Neither can the people of Africa, who are settled in the British possessions, or who are willing to resort thither for embarkation, be considered as free agents under the existing restrictions. With regard to Africa, I cannot but deeply regret to learn that the impression your Lordship has received from a perusal of the evidence taken last year is directly opposed to the conclusions which this Committee have drawn from it. In justification of my former reference to this subject, I beg leave to submit to your Lordship the accompanying brief abstract from the evidence.
With regard to the Order in Council, dated 4th January last, my only motive for alluding to it was, that a measure which might seem to be a relaxation of the general restriction imposed by the Order in Council of 7th September, 1838, should not be omitted in the enumeration I then made. The terms are- No contract of service shall have any force or effect, unless the same shall be signed in the presence of some officer or person in Her Majesty's service, previously designated for that purpose by one of Her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State." Until such designation should be announced, it was of course impossible to make any attempt to act upon the permission granted. In the communication now received in Mr. Hope's letter, no mention is made of the United States, where there appears to be greater probability that persons of African birth or descent may be found willing to enter into agreements for service in the West Indies. But these are not sources from which either immediate or extensive immigration can be expected.
This Committee having become acquainted with your Lordship's decision respecting the introduction of Chinese emigrants from the British settlements in the Straits of Malacca by the Circular No. 3, published by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, several of the parties who were anxious to attempt a commencement of this emigration applied for licences; but, on carefully examining the regulations prescribed, it appears to be impracticable to enter into contracts without incurring considerable expense and risk. The licences have therefore, I understand, been transmitted, with instructions to use them only in case the people shall be disposed to proceed to the West Indies without any contracts, and suitable vessels, with medical officers, can be found to convey them at the rate fixed; which,
CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
273
after deducting the requisite advance to the labourers, it is feared will not present an adequate inducement. This source also will, therefore, probably remain unavailable.
66
The momentous question, whether the staple products of tropical countries can be raised as effectually and as advantageously by the labour of freemen as by that of slaves," can never be brought to a fair trial, until the freedom of the employer be as fully established as the freedom of the labourer,-and emancipation cannot be pronounced successful until that question be satisfactorily solved. In conclusion, I must acquit this Committee of their duty to those whom they represent, by earnestly declaring to your Lordship their conviction-founded upon an intimate knowledge of the actual state of the West India colonies,--that without an immediate and extensive supply of labour their agriculture and trade must still further decline, and your Lordship's prediction touching their social condition be unfortunately verified.
I have, &c.
The Right Hon. Lord Stanley, &c. &c. &c.
(Signed)
CHARLES CAVE, Chairman.
Enclosure in No. 19.
ABSTRACT of Evidence relative to the possibility of encouraging a successful Emigration from the West Coast of Africa to the West India Colonies.* Evidence of WM. HAMILTON, a Purser in the Navy, who was for upwards of three years in the Liberated African Department.
4558. Thinks 20,000 people might be removed, with great advantage to the colony itself."
5473.
Evidence of H. W. MACAULAY, Judge of the Mixed Commission Court.
I see no reason to doubt that a large number of the liberated Africans may eventually be induced to remove to the West Indies."
years.
CHINESE LABOURERS.
Encl. in No. 19.
Emigration from
Evidence of LOGAN HOOK, Collector of Customs at Sierra Leone for fifteen 8231." As regards Sierra Leone, I think that we could spare from 10,000 to 15,000 of Sierra Leone. these liberated Africans with very great ease, and with benefit to themselves."
It appears, by Dr. Madden's report, which in that particular has not been questioned, that the managers of villages are not reluctant to employ any authority with which they are invested. He says, (at folio 5),
"If the liberated Africans were not a patient race, inured to suffering and accustomed to privation, it certainly would be impossible to keep the population that is located in the villages in their places. They would abandon their farms, (?) and flock to Free-town to look for bread."
Yet to the persons who keep the people in this state of bondage are they required to resort to give notices and receive explanations; and they are taught by the regulations of Her Majesty's Government to regard them as their protectors.
Evidence of WM. HAMILTON,
4607-4611. Thinks if wages were to rise in Sierra Leone, persons would come from up Emigration from the country to fill the places of those who went: they are a fine, healthy, strong set of countries adjacent people."
4612. "A great many do come in at present, both from Timmanee and the Sherboro country."
4741. "Sir John Jeremie expected the emigration to the West Indies would be more than made up by immigration from the interior."
Evidence of LOGAN HOOK.
8244. "The Mandingoes, who inhabit the North Bank on the Bollam Shore, are indisposed, I think, to emigrate."
N.B. Several Mandingoes have since arrived in Trinidad, and are to return to make a favourable report.
* This abstract was purposely confined to the evidence of official persons, except as regards the Gambia, in respect to which such testimony could not be obtained; but the witnesses cited in that instance are confirmed by the Report of Governor Huntley.
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to Sierra Leone.
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