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51. Notwithstanding the very serious charges that I have heard against the Macao system, I cannot but think that a large majority of the Emigrants from thence are of the latter class, and that the frequency of the occurrences of these serious offences has been rather over than under-stated.
52. However, be these occurrences numerous or few, there is no doubt that they have tended very materially to prejudice the cause of Emigration under contract in the minds of all, whether European or Chinese; so much so with the latter, that I believe it would be impossible with safety to establish an Emigration Agency in any part of the interior of Southern China at a distance from the immediate protection of the British Consulate.
53. On the occasion of my visit to Swatow, Mr. Caine, the Consul, had been disturbed the very night before my arrival, by the whole population of a village in the immediate neighbourhood of the Consulate, turning out of their houses with yells and imprecations, and armed, to drive away the Macao kidnappers who had got amongst them, and were endeavouring to get away some of their people.
54. I cannot better show the very strong feeling that exists on the question of the Macao Emigration, and the way in which all other Emigration is prejudiced by it, than by forwarding a petition on the subject that was presented to the present Governor of the Island by Mr. Whittall, a member of the firm of Jardine, Matheson & Co., the most influential firm in Hong Kong, and Mr. Smale, the Chief Justice of the Island, praying, that all Emigration might be stopped (See Appendix No. 8.)
55. I also forward a copy of the reply of His Excellency Sir Richard Graves McDonnell, refusing the prayer of the petition (See Appendix No. 9), His Excellency's experience of Hong Kong and the West Indies enabling him to testify to the fairness of Emigration from Hong Kong and the treatment in the Colonies of the Emigrants after their arrival there.
56. The causes which lead to, and permit these serious abuses at Macao, can only be attributed to the very great profits of unscrupulous speculators, and the pecuniary advantages derived on the numbers sent away by some of the Government Officers charged with the supervision of Emigration.
57. The recruiter or crimp, as he is usually styled, receives from the contractor for each Coolie delivered at the Depôt from $40 to $50. The contractor hands him over to the Portuguese or other speculator for $80 or $100; feeding, clothing, and passage money brings the cost of those landed at their destination to $200 each or thereabouts.
58. On arrival at their destinations the contracts are put up for sale at public auction and prices are obtained at Callao varying from $300 to $350, and at Cuba from $400 to $500. How these sums can be afforded I am at a loss to understand, but I report the amounts on reliable authority.
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59. Four of the Government Officers at Macao charged with the Emigration are the Governor's Secretary, whose salary is Reis 700,000 a year, increased by Reis 1,725,000 by fees on Emigrants, making it Reis 2,425,000 equal to $2,852.94 Cents. The Procurador or Chinese Magistrate's salary Reis 600,000, increased Reis 1,725,000 by fees on emigration, making it 2,325,000, equal to $2,735.29 Cents. The Chief Interpreter who explains the contracts to the Emigrants; salary Reis 1,150,000, increased Reis 1,725,000, making it Reis 2,875,000 equal to $3,382.35 Cents, and the Harbour Master, whose salary is Reis 948,000 increased by emigration fees Reis 1,725,000, making it Reis 2,673,000 equal to $3,144.70 Cents.
60. Whatever the causes may be which lead to such iniquitous proceedings, stringent measures should be at once adopted to put a stop to them, as they are not only discreditable to the Government under which they occur, but are greatly prejudicial to any fair system of emigration.
61. The laws regulating the Emigration from Macao are most fair (See Appendix No. 10) and stringent in the protection of the intending Emigrant, and if adhered to there could be no cause for complaint, but unfortunately the evidence of their frequent evasion is too strong to leave any doubt on the minds of disinterested parties.
SWATOW.
62. Swatow is a very important position for Emigration purposes, the very best I should think at which a permanent sub-agency might be established with advantage, more particularly with the prospective view of being able to obtain families; it is situated in the District of Ch'ao-chow-fu at the mouth of the River Han, and about eighteen hours' steam from Hong Kong.
63. Swatow and the country in its immediate neighbourhood are very densely populated, notwithstanding the heavy drain on them for a length of time in the free Emigration to Singapore, Australia, California, and Java; it is greatly in excess of the means of livelihood, and extensive poverty exists amongst the masses. Clan fights and piratical raids, which impoverish the place, are of constant occurrence, and it is accordingly the favorite recruiting ground for braves employed in the Imperial armies.
64. The chief products of the Districts are sugar, tobacco, and paper. Every village has its scores of sugar mills which are however of rude construction, and very inefficient, and consequently a great loss is sustained in sugar because the cane is improperly pressed. The local dialect is different from that of Canton.
65. The whole of the products of the district are shipped to the Northern Ports, and the trade is now almost entirely in the hands of Canton and Singapore Chinese. The value of the sugar exported to the Northern ports during the year 1865 was $3,340,366, and in 1867 $3,426,964. The wages are almost nominal for those daily laborers who can obtain employment, but when rice is cheap $3 or $4 will maintain a single person for a year.
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