Land
2
of making it the Foundation of any further Inquiry Here.
3. I now enclose a memorandum which I sent to the Colonial Secy of Hongkong requesting him to inform the Chinese of my receipt of their Memorial, and suggesting that they should organise some means for eliciting a satisfactory explanation of the admitted fact that the men, whom they represent in their memorial as having probably been kidnapped by treachery or violence, and emigrating under compulsion, nevertheless almost invariably declare to the Portuguese Authorities at Macao, once, but not merely three several times, under the Regulations of that Port, that they are free and willing Emigrants.
4. It is possible that my suggestion may lead to some further and more practical communication from the Chinese Resident Authorities. If so, and if the subject can be fully exposed and investigated, I have little doubt that the Emigrating Coolies will be found to act frequently under the influence of improper motives, such as the intended plunder of the vessel they are now embarking on, or the hope of finding means to desert after having received the advance conditionally given to each passenger. The Coolie Brokers often hold out to them secret expectations of accomplishing this latter object, and they are caught in a trap which they have helped to prepare for themselves.
5. I have, however, equally little doubt that, in addition to and beyond the results of the system on the Coolies themselves, it would also appear, if a full investigation were possible, that there is a deeply seated and widespread Corruption amongst the Community and the Government Officials at Macao, and that such Corruption has hitherto defeated and paralysed the efforts of well-meaning and earnest men, such as the late Governor of Macao or Vice Admiral de Pouga.
6. In my despatch of the 8th of last January from Hongkong, I had the honour to offer certain remarks and explanations on the difference between the Emmigration conducted from Hongkong and that from Macao, in response to certain observations, based on inaccurate information, having been addressed to Earl Granville by the Portuguese Foreign Minister. Since then, the Administration of the
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