2. I beg of your Excellency to accept my acknowledgment for your prompt courtesy in releasing the above-named man on my representation, irrespective of the supposed merits of the particular case. I notice, however, that Your Excellency is under the impression that the regulations of the Macau Government are such as to enable any immigrants unwilling to proceed to their destination to state so, and to obtain their release.
It is stated that the contract which each Emigrant is supposed to sign is transferable on his arrival at his destination and, as Your Excellency must be aware, a sum of several hundred dollars is often paid for such transfer. Hence, it is very difficult to distinguish such Emigration from African Slave Trade, which probably explains the general impression which undoubtedly prevails that many of the supposed Emigrants are really kidnapped by persons employed for that purpose. When these waters are visited by stating that they have been kidnapped, it is a useless plea.
Nevertheless, I cannot see why they should not be permitted to state the truth plainly. I also invite attention to the fact that the contract which each crimp is looking out for victims. On the 17th ultimo, a Junk which had a clearance from Macau dated the 17th December last, but which had left that port according to the Master's statement so late as the
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