18
161
7
seen by the correspondent annexed that it was moved that these 5 men had been kidnapped and that they all prayed to be liberated, but that the Portuguese Authorities refused to order this to be done, unless the barracoon Keepers were sums advanced for repaid the purchase of men and the other expenses on their account. Finding that they could not be obtained on any other terms, Mr Coldwell gave guarantee to the Procurador, and the amount, 192 Dollars 50 Cents (£40.2.1.) was, as will be seen, eventually paid from the Houghong Treasury.
7
Governor Guimaraens explained this decision by stating that as the men had signed their Contract before the Procurador, the barracoon Keepers had complied with the law. But considering that the fact that they had been kidnapped was not attempted to be denied, that they stated that they had only signed the contracts under fear of being beaten, with which they had been threatened in the event of refusal, and that when protected by the presence of a Military official they one and all declared they were not willing to go, I think it was most creditable to call upon this Government - who had no interest...