24.
and Groeneveldt should confer with
the Colonial Secretary
as
in the subject
I was but a subordinate of
Government and could
527
Messrs Edward Schellhass & Co. on the
subject of there being
no contract
of service.
give them
no positive information.
On the 6th instant, not having
received
any
instructions from the
Government to the contrary,
approved of an application from Messrs Edward Schellhass & Co.
for
the
conveyance of about 600 Chinese
in the "Abbotsford", Mr Buschmann making
the usual declaration that none of
the intending Emigrants
were under
any contract of service whatever (copy
of application enclosed). I also
enclose a copy
of a
letter from
[...]
In the meanwhile the
"Abbotsford" was being prepared for
her contemplated voyage.
In
consequence of instructions I received from the Government I reported when the Charterers wished the passengers to be examined, and on the 18th instant I received
directions to proceed with the
examination of
the Chinese, being at
the same time supplied with 27
written questions to which I added one, and subsequently
two others.
On that day