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(many of whom have already been punished). Finally they sign until they have explicitly given their consent; If any of them entertains doubts on the matter, he is not allowed to sign.
There is the way in which emigration is conducted here, and only on such principles would I allow it. I entertain no fear that there shall be little cause here to complain.
I know very well that emigration has in itself some vices which are at present out of my reach.
A few days ago a Missionary came to me with a Chinaman whose son had caused his name to be registered; the young men wanted him to go and even threatened to beat his father; the Mandarins punished him and forbade him to sign the contract. (I saw it myself.)
Therefore if anybody comes to you with a similar case, I should feel very grateful if instead of a letter of recommendation you would be so kind as to assure him that in presenting himself either to the Mandarins or to me, justice shall immediately be done, for I should not like the Chinese to have the notion that in Macao...