677
words M. Fernandes would prevent the brokers committing the crimes which are inherent in their trade by energetic surveillance, leading surely to detection with the severest laws possible in Macao, and impliedly decapitation. Nothing held in less awe over them heads. But M. Fernandes is a rara avis in Macao, and it is more than possible that his successors in office will be no better than his predecessors. Even if he were to continue the superintendency of Chinese emigration in Macao, I am at a loss to conceive how he could command the services of a staff large enough to carry out his plans, and possessing the same honesty of purpose as himself.
Moreover, it appears to me that these rigorous measures, if carried out in good faith, would result in the fulfilment of his first alternative, the total abolition of the Macao Coolie trade. The energy exercised already by M. Fernandes under existing regulations has been attended with results which have called forth the maledictions of those whose pecuniary interests have thereby been affected, and a remedy to be found in his continuance in office has been a matter of popular expectation in Macao.
The report (36) does not enter into the details relative to the best method of administering emigration, but paragraphs 37-13 inclusive refer to the terms of the contracts under which Coolies are engaged in Macao.