It is time that in my Despatch N378 I have stated that in reply to my inquiries on the part of Admiral de Souza, the Governor of Macao, had approved and affirmed the assurance by me subsequently publishing a notice to the same effect in his Gazette that no Coolie desirous of returning instead of completing his Contract, was to be held liable for any expenses, free to his home.
I fear this arrangement has not been found practicable, and that it has been discontinued. At the same time, owing to my recent return, I am not yet in a position to affirm anything further on the subject.
I notice, however, in this day's "Macau Advertiser" (Translation from the MB 8 January 1872), and a return compiled from the Gazettes, showing the number of dead bodies found (mostly Chinese Emigrants discharged "from the Barracoons") amounting during the past year to 348. That number, shocking though it be, must be regarded as very far from the actual number of those who had perished from starvation and apparent neglect at the centre of Portuguese authority and civilization in the East. Even if it be a full statement so far as it goes, it does not include...