513
Pern:
During the year 1866 a Coolie convention in 22 articles was concluded between the Govenor and M. Wade and the French Minister. It was duly signed and sealed; and was communicated to the various foreign Ministers and to the provinces. Its intention was to ensure protection for the Chinese laborer. Thus being such a code of Rules the Coolie trade at any open port must be carried on in accordance therewith. But in the case of Marco, as the Italian despatch speaks of the voyage being from thence, and as the Chinese now in Pern state they were shipped at Kum Sing in that neighborhood, it is to be feared that the foreign Merchants are ignorant of the regulations regarding sendings abroad of labors from thence to the great injury of the native population.
The Govenor has now decided that, while under the terms of the convention the Chinese Government will throw no obstacle in the way of free Emigration, that is to say of Chinese Subjects embarking of their own will and at their own expense - subject to treaty provisions, ships of non-treaty powers shall be absolutely prohibited from opening agencies; shall be absolutely prohibited from carrying migrants, and that subjects of...