The lowest and most worthless description. As regards contracts entered into between planters and Emigrants, domiciled or non-Colonied, no doubt in some local authority might give them full effect, but in most other countries the correspondence of the Foreign Office tallies, I apprehend, that Legislation does not provide many sufficient protections for the Emigrant laborer.
The securities for the proper treatment of Coolies during the voyage might be satisfactorily provided, if resolved, to let them have elected their Co-emigrants where they may, are compelled to clear out at a Port where Emigration Office and functionaries are established. But since the existence of the Chinese Passengers Act, which, from the 1 January last, compels all British Emigrant Ships to come to Hongkong, in order to have their papers examined, I am aware of only one (the "Henry Miller" was on her way bound to Havana) in which a cargo of Emigrants have been brought to Hongkong in order to fulfil the conditions of the Act, though I have reason to believe many shipments have taken place from
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