To
SIR,-
Copy.
929/67
565
Victoria, 17th May, 1867.
HIS EXCELLENCY SIR RICHARD MACDONNELL, KT.,
GOVERNOR OF HONGKONG, ETC., ETC., ETC.
Your Excellency's reference to myself at the late meeting of the Council compels me to say a few words respecting my connection with Chinese Emigration, and the treatment I have received from the local Government.
The mortality on board the "Tricolor," however unfortunate, does not stand alone in the annals of history of that year. Of 8,000 pilgrims who left British India in that unhealthy year only 2,000 returned, the rest having died. The large number of deaths on Emigrant ships from Calcutta, Madras, Liverpool and Bremen in 1865 show that there were agencies which were beyond the control of man.
The ship (the "Tricolor ") could carry 663 men; but in consideration of the advanced season only 486 were sent. The Commission that sat at Surinam to investigate into the cause of mortality distinctly states, that there was abundance of excellent water and provisions on board, and that a disease called berry berry must have prevailed.
Those gentlemen knew nothing of the disease prevalent in Hongkong at the time of the departure of the vessel; but when Dr. Murray explained to me the character of the disease, I could not but agree with him as to the nature of the epidemic on board the "Tricolor"; for not only the Chinese, but also Europeans were carried off or otherwise affected, and they had at times some difficulty in working the ship.
Had the ship been overcrowded and provisions failed, the fault might be laid at the door of the managers at Hongkong, or at the Emigration officer. I have been frequently on board, above and below, distributing books and speaking to and with the Emigrants for one or two hours. They were quiet and satisfied, and left with cheerfulness.
Now I should like to know what means your Excellency may have at your disposal to stay an epidemic? Dr. Lyon had passed at least 50,000 people for Wohang; hence might be trusted in that respect.
As Your Excellency feel; inclined to continue making remarks reflecting on my character, you will allow me to say a few words in reply to the letter you sent me through your private secretary at the time when I solicited your interference in the action commenced by Messrs. Deane and Tonnachy against me. Your Excellency's declaration of incompetency to interfere might have been made to a person not acquainted with the laws regulating the conduct of the Student Interpreters, but could certainly not convince me. Your Excellency has sufficient discretional power and should have exercised it on my behalf.
From the proceedings at the Court it became evident, that Ho Aloy, a government servant and person of education, was aware of the existence of the house where the women were kept; hence must have been aware of the illegality of his proceedings. The very fact of having barricaded the windows was a violation of the law, and the policeman who had been there before should have