Hour
CHINESE LABOURERS.
No. 22.
No. 23.
No. 24.
Vide p. 255.
Vide p. 266.
276
PAPERS RELATIVE TO EMIGRATION OF
No. 22.
Copy of a LETTER from G. W. HOPE, Esq., to CHARLES CAVE, Esq. Sir,
Downing-street, December 1, 1843.
I AM directed by Lord Stanley to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, requesting to know whether the West India Committee " are to consider the vitally important representations with which they have recently troubled his Lordship, as terminated by my very brief communication" of the 23rd ultimo. Lord Stanley desires me to state, in reply, that it was his intention by that letter to decline a further continuance of discussion on the topics to which your representations refer.
Charles Cave, Esq.,
&c.
&c.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. W. HOPE.
No. 23.
Copy of a LETTER from JAMES STEPHEN, Esq., to the LAND AND EMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS.
Gentlemen,
Downing-street, October 26, 1843. In answer to your letter of the 14th instant, I am directed by Lord Stanley to acquaint you that his Lordship approves the proposals therein contained relative to the emigration of Chinese to the West Indian Colonies, and that you will be at liberty to issue your contemplated regulations on the subject.
With respect to the office at which parties are to apply for permission to introduce these emigrants, which is left in blank in the rules which accompany your letter, I am to apprize you that Lord Stanley desires that such applications should be made to the Secretary of State.
I have, &c. (Signed)
JAMES STEPHEN.
The Land and Emigration Commissioners,
&c.
&c.
&c.
No. 24.
Copy of a LETTER from JAS. STEPHEN, Esq. to J. Emerson Tennent, Esq.
Sir,
Downing-street, October 27, 1843.
I AM directed by Lord Stanley to request that you will apprise the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, that, having understood that there is a large annual resort of Chinese labourers to the Straits of Malacca in search of employment, and having been applied to for permission to try the introduction of such labourers into the West Indies, his Lordship has thought it right to sanction the experiment with respect to the colonies of Jamaica, British Guiana, and Trinidad. I am to refer you to the accompanying rules, issued by the Emigration Commissioners, under Lord Stanley's sanction, as containing the details of the contemplated measures and the conditions which it is proposed to attach to the removal of the Chinese labourers; and I am to request that you will move the Commissioners of the Affairs of India to issue the necessary instructions to the proper authorities in the Straits of Malacca, with a view of the plan being carried into effect. For this purpose the following appear the principal points that require notice.
By the 9th of the rules, the allowance of provisions is to be declared by the Governor at the place of departure. This should of course be founded upon the habits of the people for whose use it is named.
By the 10th rule it is left to the Governor to name the proper officer of his government to superintend the shipping arrangements. This would doubtless be either the harbour master or some other functionary conversant with maritime usages. Nothing can be more important to the welfare of the passengers than the judgment and efficiency with which this duty is discharged; and I am desired to annex a memorandum, drawn up by the Land and Emigration Commissioners, of some of the principal points to which it is thought the attention of the superintending officer should be directed.
CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
277
It will be observed, that, under the 7th rule, it is wished that the emigrants should be seen to be possessed of a reasonable supply of warm clothing before their departure is sanctioned: and on this point I would refer you to the enclosed "Explanatory remarks.”
Another step required of the Governor at the place of departure will be to indicate the magistrate before whom contracts are to be executed. It would be desirable that the signature of this functionary, with the impression of his seal of office, as well as the signature of the officer who superintends the shipping, should be forwarded by the first opportunity to the Governor of each of the West India colonies which are above named.
In conclusion, I am to state, that Lord Stanley would wish to leave it to the Governor of the settlement to name any moderate fees which he may consider it just to attach to the extra duties required of the above-named officers. But his Lordship would request that it may, at the same time, be publicly announced, for the information of all concerned, that such fees are to be disbursed by the master of the ship, and will, on the production of the proper vouchers, be repaid to him from the public treasury immediately on reaching his destination, and in no case be left a permanent charge on the individual importer.
I have, &c.
JAMES STEPHEN.
J. Emerson Tennent, Esq.,
&c.
(No. 172.)
&c.
(Signed)
No. 25.
Copy of a DESPATCH from Lord STANLEY to Governor Sir H. MACLEOD.* Sir,
Downing-street, October 27, 1843.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith, for your information and guidance, the enclosed copies of a correspondence respecting the plan for the introduction of Chinese labourers into the West Indies.
In the letter from my Under-Secretary to Mr. Malcolm, dated the 4th of September, followed by two other letters from this office to Mr. Hankey and Mr. Burge, dated the 3rd instant, you will find the principle on which this measure has been agreed to. On the other hand, for the details as eventually settled, I would refer you to the rules which have been issued under my sanction by the Commissioners of Land and Emigration. These rules will be published for general information, and may be looked upon as a final statement of what individual importers are led to expect, and what the Government is engaged to fulfil.
By the 16th of those regulations, labourers about to relinquish their contracts are to make known their intention by means of a declaration before a stipendiary magistrate. This was designed to prevent disputes either as to the actual occurrence, or the sufficiency, of a notice given directly to the employer. But, on the other hand, it is obvious that the employers ought to receive immediate intelligence of any such declarations; and you will not fail to convey to all stipendiary magistrates the necessary directions for that purpose.
With regard to such legislative aid as is necessary for giving effect to the present plan, I think it will be sufficient that you should propose that any existing provision against contracts made out of the colony should be waived as to Chinese labourers, provided such contracts are not for a longer term than five years' service in the colony, and that in all other respects they are conformable to any rules laid down by the Secretary of State for regulating the introduction of this kind of labourers,
The information upon the present measure which is contained in the enclosed papers is so ample, that, having noticed those points more immediately calling for any practical steps on your part, I shall merely add the remark, that I have no doubt you will bestow every attention in your power on any Chinese immigrants who may reach the colony under your government, and will endeavour to promote the prosperity and the satisfaction of a class of labourers from whom, if fairly dealt with, it has been hoped that so much benefit will be derived. Governor Sir H. MacLeod,
&c.
&c.
Trinidad,
I have, &c. (Signed)
STANLEY.
* Similar Despatches addressed to the Governors of Jamaica and British Guiana.
CHINESE LABOURERS.
No. 25.
Copies of preceding Letters annexed.
239
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