6
I beg to thank you for this communication, and to observe that if the Japanese Government intend to sanction the emigration of their labouring population, which does not appear to be redundant, I trust they will become alive to the duty of exercising strict supervision and control over the conditions and the mode in which such emigration is conducted.
In order that their attention may be drawn to the subject, I have placed in their hands a copy of the Convention regulating emigration from China, which was concluded in 1866 between the Government of that country and the Governments of England and France, from which they will learn the care that has been taken in that case to protect the interests of the emigrants.
I have, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
Inclosure 5 in No. 2.
Mr. Mitford to Sir H. Parkes.
HARRY S. PARKES.
Osaka, May 28, 1868. I took an opportunity this afternoon of talking to the Prince of Uwajima upon the subject of the scheme of Mr. Van Reed, an American merchant at Yokohama, for transporting Japanese emigrants to the Sandwich Islands. I pointed out to the Prince how ill Japan could spare the labour of peasants, who are doubly valuable to a country where so large a proportion of the population is too proud to work. I remarked that the ignorant classes in Japan already ascribe to foreign intercourse the high prices which now prevail, and that the Government should be careful not to encourage projects fostered by speculators, which, by inflaming the minds of men against foreigners in general, might involve the country in fresh troubles.
The Prince thanked me for the information, which I told him was communicated by your desire, and he said that orders should be given to the authorities at Yokohama not to allow the emigration of labourers.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
A. BERTRAM MITFORD.
Inclosure 6 in No. 2.
Mr. Fletcher to Sir H. Parkes.
422
It appeared to me, was to see that the vessel should be in every respect suitable for carrying the intended number of passengers, keeping in view the Chinese Passenger Act in this respect. To this end I requested the surveyor of Lloyd's agents at this port (in the absence of an emigration officer), in a letter of which I have the honour to inclose a copy, to make a minute inspection of the vessel, her fittings, provisions, and stores, and to report to me as to her adaptability or otherwise for the purpose for which she was intended.
I was duly furnished with the report called for, copy of which I have also the honour to inclose. I considered it in all respects satisfactory, and that the ship was properly equipped and provided with all things necessary for her intended freight and voyage, even if the number of passengers originally contemplated were to proceed in her. I took care also that the passengers should be in charge of a competent European surgeon, and thus, as far as the ship was concerned, there was little left to be desired. Mr. Van Reed is the reputed Agent of the Hawaiian Government, and, it is said, was acting on its behalf in this matter; and I have no reason to suspect fraud or violence to have been practised in the collection or embarkation of the passengers, or that there was anything connected with the transaction, as far as I could judge, to give it the character of slavery or traffic in coolie labour, in the worst sense of the word: but it might be desirable, notwithstanding, to learn something further as to their final destination and their treatment after arrival, as also what necessity existed for emigration from this country to the Sandwich Islands, and, if such does exist, whether it would not be well to consider whether the Act for the Regulation of Chinese Passenger Ships might not be made to apply to Japan also, with the safeguards and penalties attaching thereto; and it is chiefly for this reason I judged it desirable to bring the subject to your notice.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
L. FLETCHER,
Inclosure 7 in No. 2.
M. van Reed to Mr. Fletcher.
My dear Fletcher,
May 6, 1868. I shall be most happy to comply with all sanitary regulations you may require in the case of the "Scioto" carrying the Japanese passengers to Honolulu, and to give you all aid in the furtherance of the object in view.
(Signed)
VAN REED.
Inclosure 8 in No. 2.
Mr. Fletcher to Mr. McDonald.
Sir,
Kanagawa, June 12, 1868.
I have the honour to bring to your knowledge the following circumstance :- On the 16th of last month a British ship called the "Scioto" left this port for the Sandwich Islands with Japanese passengers. The master of the vessel, on clearing at this Consulate, furnished a list of these passengers, with their names. They were nearly all adult male passengers. I have had no positive information as to the exact relation existing between the shipper, Mr. E. Van Reed, who is an American citizen, and the emigrants. I have no reason, however, to suppose that their departure was not purely voluntary, and that they comprehended whither they were going and the nature of the contract they made. I had some communication with Mr. Van Reed regarding the sanitary arrangements required to be made on board, when he expressed his entire willingness to comply with all regulations that might be deemed necessary for the welfare of these passengers, as will be seen from the inclosed copy of the letter he addressed to me on the subject.
The Governor of Kanagawa gave his assent, at first, to the emigrants leaving, without giving the subject much consideration, and apparently without making inquiry as to the conditions on which they covenanted to go. He afterwards withdrew this assent on his attention being drawn to the subject of coolie emigration as being of a questionable nature. A few days later, on the new Government coming into power, they were prohibited altogether from leaving, and no more were allowed to be shipped, as I afterwards understood; and the ship proceeded on her voyage with 170 on board instead of 350, as originally contemplated. No objection was at any time made at this Consulate by the Japanese authorities to the circumstance of a British ship conveying these passengers, and the master got his clearance at the Custom-house, apparently without any difficulty, which he presented at this Consulate before he got the papers of his ship.
Under these circumstances what I was principally concerned to do in the matter, as
Sir,
Kanagawa, May 11, 1868. It has been brought to my knowledge that the British ship "Scioto" is engaged to convey about 350 Japanese emigrants to Honolulu. In such case it is particularly desirable that the ship be carefully surveyed in order to ascertain that there is sufficient, proper accommodation for so many passengers, and also to see that the sanitary arrangements, supply of fresh water, provisions, medical stores, anti-scorbutics, &c., &c., required for a passenger ship in such a case as this, are adequate for the number of passengers and the probable length of the voyage.
I have, therefore, to request you to make a careful and minute survey in regard to the several matters referred to above, and also as to any others which you may know to be important, and to report thereon to me as soon as possible in order that the departure of the ship may not be unnecessarily delayed.
(Signed)
L. FLETCHER.