I will see him on Monday or Tuesday next. A box containing a letter addressed to him on the subject of Passengers, will, I presume, still find him.
Mr. Inglis can, besides the above correspondence, also give your Grace some important information, touching Sir John Bowring's interference with him, so as to prevent the carrying into full effect the sixth Regulation of "the Chinese Passengers' Act, Schedule A;" and which is directed against 'unfair contracts of service, fraud, and violence,' towards Chinese Emigrants.
18 & 19. Vict. c. 104. Sch. A. VI.
By an official letter to himself, from Dr. Secretary (or Bridges, then Acting Colonial Secretary), on behalf of Sir John Bowring, M. Inglis was last year informed that it was the Governor's wish, that the words above cited, from the Act should not be interpreted in the sense of British law, since the coolies were destined for a British Colony was not the case, specifically, of Cuban Service-Contracts, he was ordered to have regard, in the interpretation, rather to the antecedents of the Coolies and the Customs of China and Cuba, than to the laws of this kingdom, and to grant his Certificate accordingly.
Mr. Inglis showed me that letter about the time he received it, and he informed me that he was reluctantly compelled to obey it. I doubt not that he will, upon your Grace's invitation, confirm my statements.
I am,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Herbert Harvey
The Most Noble the Duke of Newcastle
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies
Downing Street