180%
necessary precautions.
It might, however, be quite likely that a well-educated and respectable Chinese medical Practitioner would be as safe and useful as the European likely to accept such an engagement, but that assertion presupposes that some test has been applied whereby to ascertain the personal merits of such a party. Accordingly, I have instituted a system of examination of all medical Practitioners tendering, and they are now examined at Canton by competent medical men appointed for that purpose. They must obtain from them a certificate of competency, and must also produce sureties willing in each case to give security to the amount of $1000, for their general conduct, and for their actually putting on board a certain stipulated amount of medicines. Finally, the Governor under the local Ordinance has to sign their certificates, which he may refuse to do if he has any reason to question the expediency of their employment.
I enclose copy of some Rules now passing through the Legislature for the conduct of Contract Emigration more particularly, and securing competent Chinese Doctors in Chinese Passenger Ships generally. Practically, the latter part of the Rules has been in operation.