fittings which in progress and her provisions when put onboard. On the 4th October the first batch of Emigrants embarked. On the 28th Monnochie then Acting Registrar General informed
me that the "Portland" was
suspected of having Chinese
onboard who were
unwilling to proceed in her,
as some females had been discovered
in a house which was barricaded.
M. Bosman the Netherlands
Consul also communicated with me & expressed a desire
to accompany the "Portland" as his duty
onboard in the
matter was to see that none
but properly obtained emigrants
were sent to the Dutch
Colonies. I assented to this
and
1838
And with my Interpreter I visited the vessel the following morning. I found the Acting Superintendent of Police had been onboard and had examined the Passengers.
My Interpreter enquired
of them if there was anyone who was unwilling to proceed in the ship. The females hesitated
in their answer at first but eventually expressed a desire to return to their homes. I conceive their uncertainty
arose from
they had been
subjected to two enquiries
one immediately following
on the other. I however
explained to them that no injus-
tice would be done
to them if they proceeded
on the
voyage, but if they
were not
desirous