499
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In the country, provided the contracts entered into with the Emigrant are ostensibly fair, and provided Her Majesty's Government be satisfied that the Emigrants thoroughly understand their contracts and are under no compulsion whatever. In other words, I cannot close this Port against vessels taking Emigrants to any place, however objectionable their treatment may probably be on arrival, unless Her Majesty's Government has previously given me authority to do so.
Paper No. 328 of 18b8, June
Page 16
My despatch No. 748 of the 19th conveyed to Your Lordship the Regulations under which I hope to prevent the possibility of any Emigrants under contract leaving this Harbour without a thorough comprehension of what they are doing, and so that if, with the additional information which they may in any way have acquired here, they are inclined to alter their views, they are at perfect liberty to do so up to the last moment.
The reports from Emigrants to Surinam, and also from those occasionally returning from Colonies in the West Indies, show that the interests of the Emigrant and Employer of labour may be, and are in many cases, perfectly reconcilable, and that the Chinese Coolie, who in his native Province could