Is this. Could the Colonies, without Contract, obtain as abundant a supply of labour as with it? Both Sir B. Robertson & Mr Sampoon assure me That, if passages were found them to the Colony, every Man about to emigrate would as certainly proceed thither without contract as with it. Considering then the invidiousness which, in spite of every precaution, attaches to Contract Emigration, will it not be worth the while of any Colony to provide free passages without stipulation? At present there is paid for the passage outward of every Coolie some seventy dollars, the sum of $50 being promised to him as a contribution to the expenses of his homeward voyage. Voluntary Emigration once established, a part, if not all of the latter sum would be saved, say if not all, because
1175-B & S 6050)