articles being sold to them at a higher true
wau
is rawfed, or their being ill-treated, or Emigrants being clandestinely admitted on board the vessels as has sometimes happened. It is also alleged that the coolie ships from Macao adopt measures of precaution towards emigrants on three or four month's Voyages, & that on account of such measures they ought to be considered as slave ships; but it is certain that on board the English & American Steamers on the daily line between Macao, Hongkong & Canton with passages of only a few hours duration, similar Precautions are also adopted. On board these Steamers there are places set apart for the Chinese passengers who are watched by armed men; these precautions having been adopted since Feby 1857, when 20 pirates disguised as passengers surprised & murdered the crew & passengers of the steamer "Queen" on the voyage from Hongkong to Canton, stole 156 dollars & more; and a similar case of piracy occurred on board another steamer.
It is well that it should be known that the Chinese called free passengers, who emigrate by thousands to San Francisco in California in American steamers, are by far the greater number who have been engaged as labourers with this difference, that those from Macao go by contract and receive sums in advance which they have to repay to their families, whereas those from Hongkong to California have to make their contracts at ...