session of Parliament, by which the Governors of the Colonies are empowered
to declare by Proclamation that in vessels sailing from ports within the limits
of their respective governments, a space of 12 instead of 15 feet should
suffice for natives of Asia or Africa, who were to be conveyed through the
tropics.
The long and extensive experience which has now been had of the in
troduction of coolies from India into the West Indies at the rate of one for
every 12 feet, justifies the conclusion that that allowance of space is compatible
with the preservation of the health of the passengers on board ship.
From China itself the experience has been too limited to support any general
conclusion, but the healthiest ship which has yet reached the West Indies with
Chinese emigrants contained one for every 12 feet, and I think that, looking
to the wide extent of the analogous emigration from India, the experiment
may very properly be tried of adapting the same rule to emigration from
Hongkong
I have therefore to recommend you to make use of the power conferred upon
you by the recent Act, and to issue aa Proclamation declaring that, during the
north -east monsoon at least, 12 instead of 15 feet shall be a sufficient
allowance of space for any natives of Asia or Africa who may be conveyed
from Hongkong through the tropics.
I have permitted the Emigration Commissioners to make their agreements
respecting some vessels which they have engaged in this country for the con
veyance of Chinese emigrants from Hongkong, on the assumption that you
will issue the proposed proclamation.
I have, &c.
Governor Sir G. Bonham , (Signed ) NEWCASTLE.
&c . &c.
( 250. ) A 3
( 6 )
No. 4. No. 4.
Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Bonham to his Grace the
Duke of Newcastle.
( No. 4. )
Victoria, Hongkong, January 6, 1854.
My Lord DUKE, (Received March 6, 1854.)
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Page 5. despatch No. 25 * of the 9th of September last, enclosing copy of Act 16 & 17
Vict. c. 84., and recommending that the powers therein conferred on the
Governors of British Colonies be availed of, and a proclamation, declaring that
12 feet instead of 15 feet be a sufficient allowance of space for any natives of
Asia or Africa who may be conveyed through the tropics, be issued.
I have in consequence issued a proclamation in conformity with the views
contained in your Grace's despatch, and I have now the honour to enclose
an attested copy thereof.
Acting on the principle observed at New South Wales in reference to the
Act passed in the 15th and 16th years of Her Majesty's reign, commonly
called the “ Passengers Act, 1852,” I have embodied in the proclamation the
requirements of both Acts, The provisions that have been made in conformity
with the first-inentioned Act cannot, however, be strictly adhered to, for if it
was attempted to enforce them in this colony they would be immediately
evaded by the masters and consignees of vessels removing them either to
Kowloon, a Chinese port not above three miles distance from the anchorage of
Hongkong harbour, or to Macao, Whampoa, Cumsingmoon, or some other
Chinese port in the vicinity ; a measure which would effectually prevent all
interference of any British `authority, and at the same time be detrimental to
the interests of the colony.
I may as well remark that at present there appears no immediate chance
of procur ng coolies for the West Indies where they cannot be conveyed with
. advantage to the shippers, so long as freight of vessels remains at its present
high rate.
I have, &c.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, ( Signed ) S. G. BONHAM .
&c . & c. & c.
Encl. in No. 4 . Enclosure in No. 4.
PROCLAMATION .
By his Excellency Sir Samuel George Bonham , Baronet, Knight Commander of the
most Honourable Order of the Bath , Governor and Commander-in -Chief of the Colony
of Hong Kong and its dependencies, and Vice -Admiralof the same, Her Majesty's Pleni
potentiary and chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China.
Whereas by an Act of the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland, passed
in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her Majesty's reign, intituled “ An Act to
" amend and consolidate the laws relating to the carriage of passengers by sea ,” it is
amongst other things enacted, shat it shall be lawful for the Governor of any of
Her Ma esty's possessions abroad , by any Proclamation to be by him , from time to
time, issued for that purpose, (which shall take effect from the issuing thereof,) to declare
what shall be deemed for the purposes of the said Act to be the length of the voyage of
any ship carrying passengers from such possessions to any other place whatsoever, a nd
to substitute for the articles of food and provisions specified in the said Act, such other
articles of food and provisions as he shall deem to be a full equivalent for the same ; and
also to declare what medicines , medical instruments, and other matters shall be deemed
necessary for the medical treatment of the passengers during such colonial voyage.
And whereas also by a certain other Act of the said Parliament passed in the seven
teenth and eighteenth years of Her said Majesty's reign, intituled “ An Act to amend the
Passengers Act, 1852, so far as relates to the passages of natives of Asia or Africa ,
and also passages between the island of Ceylon and certain parts of the East Indies,” it is
amongst other things enacted, that it shall be lawful for theGovernors of Her Majesty's
possessions abroad,if they shall think fit, to declaro by Proclamation that ships intended
to pass within the tropics, from any ports within their respective Governments, may
convey passengers being natives of Asia or Africa, after the rate of one for every twelve
superficial feet of the passenger deck, instead of one for every fifteen such superficial
( 7 )
(
feet, as required by the 12th section of the said “ Passengers' Act, 1852.". Now , there
fore, I, Sir Samuel George Bonham , Bart,, the Governor aforesaid, by this my Procla -
mation, issued for that purpose, do declare that the following shall be the rule of
computation by which the length of the voyage of any ship carrying passengers from
Hongkong to the several places herein -after enumerated shall be computed , for the
purposes of the said recitedAct, that is to say ;
In the Months.
October April
Passage from Hongkong to the under mentioned Places to to
for March . September.
Ships propelled by Sails.
Both inclusive.
1
Days.
California , or West Coast of America, north of the Equator 100 75
West Coast of America south of the Equator. 120 120
Sandwich Islands 75 56
New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Feejee Islands, Tahiti, Society 100
or Friendly Islands ,
Sydney, Melbourne, or South Australia
, 100
60 80
Western Australia 45 60
Van Diemen's Land 65 80
New Zealand 75 90
Manila 20 20
Singapore 20 45
Batavia 30 60
Ceylon 45 70
Madras or Calcutta 50 75
Bombay 60 80
Mauritius, or Bourbon 60 80
Cape of Good Hope -
65 85
West Indies, East Coast of America 147 168
Great Britain or Europe -
162 180
And I do hereby further declare, that with respect to passengers being Chinese, or
persons accustomed to Chinese diet, in addition to, and irrespective of any provisions
of their own which any such passenger may have on board, the master of every
“ Passenger ship” shall make to each statute adult during the voyage, including the
time of detention, if any, at any port or place before the termination of such voy age,
an allowance of pure water and sweet and wholesome provisions, according to the
following dietary scale, and the provisions mentioned in such scale shall in the case
of such Chinese passengers only be substituted for the articles of food and provisions
specified in the said Act :
Rice 1 } lb. per diem . Water gallon 1 per diem .
Salt Pork Firewood -
3 lbs.
Lard, salted fat, fresh fat, Salt 1 oz . per week.
or oil oz. Pepper 1
Pickled vegetables 3 > Vinegar pint į >
Tobacco 을 27
Tea 4 ozs .
Three weeks supply of biscuit is to be placed on board, to be issued at the rate
of 2sulbs. a day only when the weather is too bad for cooking, or when required by
the rgeon .
Peas or beans may be substituted for rice, and opium for tobacco, to the extent and
in the proportion to be fixed by the surgeon.
Half issues to be made to children under ten years of age. The issues in accordance
with this scale are to be made daily ; the first issues to be made on the day of
embarkation .
And I do hereby also further declare in pursuance of the said last --mentioned
any that 12 instead of 15 feet shall be deemed a sufficient allowance of space for
Act, natives of Asia or Africa who may be conveyed from Hongkong through the
Tropics.
( 250. ) A 4
( 8 )
And lastly, I do hereby further declare, that the medicines, medical instruments, and
other matters necessary for the medical treatment of the passengers during any such
voyage, shall be as follows, namely :
For a Ship carrying 100 passengers and in like proportion for any greater or less
number. [ Here follows the scale. ]
Given under my hand and seal of the Colony, at Government House, Victoria ,
Hongkong, this 28th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty three and in the seventeeth year of Her Majesty's
reign.
By his' Excellency's command ,
J. G. BONHAM.
W. CAINE,
Colonial Secretary .
GOD SAVE THE QUEES.
No. 5. No. 5 .
EXTRACT of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir John Bowring to the Duke
of Newcastle
NEWCASTLE, dated Hongkong, April 21st 1854.
(Received June 22, 1854. )
“ Mr. White the emigration agent has left the colony for England, and will
of course report to your Grace on the prospects for continuing a supply of
Chinese for the Colonies. Meanwhile the voluntary emigration is considerable,
and the Coolies still seem disposed to press in great numbers towards Cali
fornia and Australia. They are deplorably ignorant, are likely to be the
victims of the cupidity, alike of Chinese brokers and sea captains, and the
interests of humanity, to say nothing of the reputation of a · British colony,
require that more control should be exercised over abuses.
* An example has just occurred. I learnt that a Peruvian vessel ( the
Libertad ) had engaged nearly a hundred Coolies more than she was able
properly to take, or would be allowed to take under the Passengers' Act; that
her seaworthiness was very doubtful; and that the state of the Coolies on
board was most unsatisfactory.
“ We have prevented her departure in crder that some steps may be taken
for the protection of human life.
“ Though Sir Geo. Bonham has applied certain portions of the Colonial
* Page 6. Passengers’ Act to this colony by his proclamation of 28th December, * there is
really no machinery here, for giving effect to the regulations adopted. We
want more efficient control, and I think Mr. Hillier, the chief magistrate,
might very properly and usefully be appointed, at an additional salary of
2001. a year to undertake the duties of emigration agent. His knowledge of
the Chinese language, and his habits of intercourse with the Chinese people
make his nomination particularly desirable. I am afraid the remuneration by
any system of fees would from the almost universal venality of subordinates,
lead to uncontrollable abuses, and that the object in view could hardly be
accomplished without some slight expense to the colony.
“ I cannot allow there is force in the objection, that if our colonial regulations
are stringent and efficient the emigration trade will be transferred to other
localities. It appears to me that when Coolies learn from experience that their
interests and comforts are cared for, and that securities are provided for their
protection in this colony which they cannot find elsewhere, emigrating Coolies
would prefer resorting to it, and thus the interests of the colony be permanently
promoted. Means might be found of circulating in the districts, which furnish
the supplies of emigrants, some information as to the arrangements made in
Hongkong in favour of those who embark in the colony."
No. 6.
No. 6.
Copy of DESPATCH from Lieutenant -Governor W. CAINE to his Grace
the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
( No. 11. ) Victoria, Hongkong, May 4 , 1854 .
My Lord Duke, (Received July 3 , 1854. )
I have the honour to address your Grace on the subject of Chinese
emigration from this colony to California, Australia, and other places, which
( 9 )
has now attained so great magnitude as to render it most desirable to enforce
the salutary provisions of the English Passengers' Act of 1852, as far as the
circumstances of the locality permit ; for, at present, the ships that leave this
port crowded with human beings are under no sufficient control as to the
quantity of provisions and space or the seaworthiness of the ship, except what
may be afforded by the foresight and self-interest of the passengers or the rules
of the place at which they disembark ; and this last species of control, as will
appear in the sequel, is not unfrequently rendered valueless.
2. I cannot, I think, give your Grace a better idea of the present state of
emigration in this quarter than by extracting a few remarks on the subject
from the “ China Mail” newspaper of the 16th and 23rd of last month . It is
there said that emigration to California, notwithstanding the immense numbers
who have already crowded thither, is still on the increase; that no fewer than
12,000 Chinese in Canton and Hongkong are waiting shipmentto San Fran
cisco, while the departures since the 1st January last may be safely estimated
at 5,500 ; that, within the last three months, upwards of 2,100 have departed
for Melbourne, thus showing what attention Australia is exciting among the
Chinese ; that Chinese passage brokers, being under such heavy engagements
to find passages, are driven to the utmost straits, so that European ships con
demned years ago as unfit to carry cargo are readily purchased at enormously
high prices and fitted out for passengers; that of those already purchased only
one can be termed a sound wholesome ship ; that one ship of 850 tons was sold
for $85,000 ; another of 337 for $33,000 ; one of 140 tons for $ 15,000 ; one of
379 tons for $ 30,000 ; and four or five others at prices equally extravagant.
3. Added to this, in two instances, the master of the vessel, after taking on
board aa number of passengers far in excess of that which is either legal or safe,
fearing the consequences, has forced a number of them on shore at the moment
of sailing,when the passage broker having absconded they looked in vain for
a return of their passage money or even for food and shelter. In the case of
the “ Shamrock ” brig this cruelty was practised at Singapore, where the vessel
touched on her way to the Australian colonies. One vessel has been wrecked
on the Madjicosima Islands, involving great loss of life ; another, a Dutch ship,
has put into Singapore leaky; and it ismuch to be feared that these are but
a small part of the casualties which may be expected to occur unless some
efficient control be speedily exercised.
4. It has therefore been thought fit to exercise the power given by the Pas
sengers' Act of appointing an emigration officer , for without his intervention
none of the penalties in that Act can be enforced. For this duty, Mr. Hillier,
the chief magistrate of police has been selected , and for the additional labour
thus imposed on him , and the exposure to the climate that it will necessarily
involve , it has been considered that an addition of 2001. a year to his salary is
such a sum as could reasonably be given, and one very much below that which
would be necessary to ensure the services of a competent person not already
in Government employ . I should have been disposed to recommend the
levying a small fce upon each emigrant as some compensation for the protec
tion afforded him , and with the view of relieving the colony from any pecuniary
burden, but I fear the difficulty of collection and the abuses to which it might
lead in the hands of subordinate officials would more than counterbalance its
advantages, and ( small though it be ) would induce the emigrant Coolie to seek
its evasion by embarkation at some other port.
5. The process of collecting passengers for California ships appears to be
somewhat as follows :-A passage-broker at Hongkong (not unfrequently a
man of straw who is not to be found a few hours after the vessel leaves ) sends
out his crimps to the mainland, and these on the payment of about five dollars
as bargain money, give to each candidate for shipment a bargain-ticket, sealed
with the seal of the broker for whom they act. With this ticket the candidate
proceeds to Hongkong, where on payment of the balance of passage-money
and re -delivery of the bargain -ticket, a passage ticket is granted, securing to
the possessor a passage to California. Thus the broker may receive the money
of shiploads of passengers before he has provided by the purchase or the
charter of ships, for the accommodation of even a small number of them. If
the charter money be high, the shipowners may often risk the confiscation of
the ship at the port of debarkation in consequence of an infringement of the
Passenger law there, and still be sure of a profit on the transaction ; and the
B
(250.)
( 10 )
ship may be despatched with the same certain profitable result, if the Chinese
purchaser pay but a small sum for her acquisition and receive large amounts
for passages. It is difficult at present to account satisfactorily for the enor
mous prices paid for ships as related above, though the sum paid for a passage
is also unusually high ; I can only attribute it to the pressure upon the more
substantial Chinese brokers of engagements which they must fulfil at the risk
of absolute ruin. It is manifest that the temptation under these circumstances
to crowd human beings recklessly into unseaworthy vessels must be extra
ordinarily great.
6. In conclusion , I would state that this subject was brought to the notice
of Sir George Bonham before it attained to its present more serious importance.
非
He issued in consequence a proclamation ,of which a copy was forwarded to
• Page 6. your Grace, in Despatch * No. 4, of 6th January last ; but he refrained then
from doing more, fearing that to enforce the English Passenger Act in all its
strictness would tend to drive emigrant vessels away to Chinese ports and thus
deprive the colony of the benefits that it must derive from this source. Yet it
may well be doubted whether the additional protection and comfort afforded
to the passenger by an effective Government surveillance, will not render the
colony more attractive to emigrants, and thus counterbalance the supposed
evil consequences of a feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of charterers or
owners of ships at any interference with the liberty of action they have hitherto
enjoyed ; and at all events , the existing danger of serious casualties renders
this contingency of minor consideration.
I have, &c.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, ( Signed ) W. CAINE .
&c . &c. &c.
No. 7. No. 7 .
Copy of DESPATCH from the Right Hon . Sir George Grey to Governor
Sir John BowRING .
( No. 22. )
SIR, Downing Street, August 29, 1854.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of Lieut. -Governor Caine's Despatch ,
Page 8. No. 11 , of the 4th * of May last, reporting the steps which he had taken for
enforcing the provisions of ' the Passengers’ Act, in regard to emigrant vessels
proceeding from the ports of Hongkong; and in expressing my approval of
those measures I have to convey to you the sanction of the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury to the allowance of 2001. per annum to Mr. Hillier, the
chief police magistrate, to act as Emigration Officer, on the understanding that
this additional income is to be discontinued whenever the cessation of emigration
may render the office unnecessary .
I have, &c.
Governor Sir Johu Bowring, ( Signed ) G. GREY
&c . &c. & c.
1
No. 8 . No. 8.
Copy of DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of NEWCASTLE to Governor 1
Sir John BOWRING.
( No. 11. )
SIR, Downing Street, March 16, 1854 .
I Transmit to you for your information and guidance a copy of aа letter
from the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, transmitting copies of a
correspondence with Mr. White on the subject of Chinese emigration to the
25th Feb. 1854. West Indies, together with a copy of the answer returned to the Commissioners
by my desire.
17th March 1854. I have to request that you will instruct the Surveyor -General to place him .
self in communication with Mr. White respecting the establishment of a depôt ,
( 1 )
and that you will report to me your opinion as to the expediency of such a
measure .
I have, &c.
Governor Sir John Bowring, ( Signed ) NEWCASTLE .
&c. &c . &c.
Enclosure 1 in No. 8 .
Encl. 1 in No. 8.
Colonial Land and Emigration Office.
SIR, February 25, 1854.
1. WE beg to enclose copies of two letters which we have received from Mr. White, * No. 2. 10th Dec.
with the answer which we have returned to those letters. It is not possible, however, No. 4. 26th Dec,
that this answer can be received before the emigration has practically terminated. 24th February
2. It will be seen that little chance exists of chartering ships in China , but that
Mr. White has authorized Messrs. Tait and Co. to send one or two vessels (if they can be
procured ) from Namoa ; a step which we cannot refrain from regretting.
3.It appears to us that no better course can be adopted for commencing a healthy
female emigration than that adopted by Mr. White ; but we do not feel very sanguine of
his immediate success .
4. We trust that next year, being at liberty to advertise for shipping at a far earlier
period, we shall be able to secure asupply of European surgeons.
5. The emigration is as yet of so uncertain a kind that we could not recommend that
the expense of constructing a depôt should be incurred ; but we think it might be very
advisable to obtain the opinion of some Government officer on the spot ; and we would
suggest that if the emigration proceeds the Governor should be instructed to direct the
Surveyor -General or some other competent officer to place himself in communication with
Mr. White on the subject, and report respecting the expediency of such a step ; the
expense which would be necessary ; and on any means which Government might possess
for facilitating the construction of a building adequate for the purpose.
We have, &c.
Herman Merivale, Esq. ( Signed ) T. W. C. MURDOCH .
&c. &c. &c. FREDERIC ROGERS,
Sub - Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Sub -Encl. 1 to
Encl. 1 in No. 8.
(No. 2. )
SIR, Hongkong, December 10, 1853.
SINCE I had the honour of addressing you by last mail, several vessels have
arrived, suitable for the emigration service, but they have all been taken up at rates very
far exceeding those which I am authorized to give, and are princicipally under charter
for California .
2. As an instance of the high rates of freight now current, I may mention that
Mr. Comstock, agent on behalf of the PanamaRailway Company (of whom I made
mention in my last), offered, a few days ago, $ 70 for the conveyance of labourers to
Panama, and to put 700 on board, the charterer finding water and fittings and everything
necessary. The vessel ( the Wilhelmsburgh) registers 900 tons, and according to the
English Passengers' Act could not carry more than 450 emigrants. But 700 passengers
at $ 70 each is equivalent to 450 at $ 109, and this latter is the sum I would have had to
offer in order to place matters on a par.. In addition to the freight for the emigrant, the
charterer engaged, if required, to furnish a cargo of guano from Peru for New York .
The whole offer has, however, been declined, and the vessel is now under charter for
California. This statement will show the Commissioners how little prospect there is of
procuring shipping for the West Indies during the present season .
3. As it is possible that some stray vessels may call in at Amoy, without knowledge of
the high freights current here, I have authorized Messrs. Tait and Co. to take them up
on my account ; and I annex copy of the letter I have addressed them on the subject. I
effected this arrangement only on the condition required by them , that they should
receive a commission for placing emigrants on board (from Namoa ); and although this is
contrary to my express wish , that the emigration should be conducted from Hong
kong, I thought it best to accede to it under present circumstances, for I see little
prospect of getting vessels in Hongkong, and if I had rejected the proposal made to me
by Messrs. Tait and Co. I would lose the chance of any vessels that might arrive at Amoy,
for they would unquestionably be taken up under a similar engagement for the Cuban
emigration.
4. If emigration is to be carried on from this port continuously ( or at least for a few
years) and systematically, and in a manner creditable to the Government, it is absolutely
Note. - The previous correspondence relative to Mr. White's proceedings, as West India
Emigration Agent in China, is contained in the papers presented to Parliament by Her Majesty's
command in 1953 and 1855, “ Correspondence Emigration from China .”
( 250. ) B 2
( 12 )
necessary to have a depôt. Here emigrants may be collected, and be prepared for em
barkation, so that no delay shall arise when the vessel is ready to receive them , and here
they will be protected from the possibility of fraud on the part of the collecting agents.
The present method of bringing them together two or three days before the vessel leaves,
and then shipping them offwithout sufficient preparation or inquiry, leaves open the door for
all manner of abuses ,in spite of the best exertions of the emigration agent. But the establish
inent of a depôt, whether atloat or on shore, will be attended with some expense ; and with
the little prospect there is of obtaining shipping this season , I do not wish to incur any ex
pense that may be avoided, without having the previous sanction of the Commissioners. A
hulk , such as would answer the purpose of a depôt afloat, will cost at present from 3,0001. to
4,0001. The town of Hongkong, at the foot of an abrupt hill, offers few conveniencies
for building, and I have been unable to find any place but one suitable for the purposes
of a depôt. This place comprises three lots of land ( on which there are buildings, now
in a nearly ruinous condition, as the parties to whom they belonged have allowed them
to lapse to the Crown rather than pay a heavy ground rent), and is nearly three acres
in extent, and situated on the shore of the bay. The Surveyor-General informs me that the
three lots may be had for 3001. a year, but they cannot be made available for the purposes
of a depôt until the Governor, who resides at present in a house adjoining one of these
lots, shall have removed into the new Government House now in course of erection. The
repairs to the old buildings, and the erection of new ones that may be required , will,
on a rough calculation, cost from 1,0001. to 1,5001. If emigration from China is likely
to be carried on for a few years, I recommend the establishment of a depôt, afloat or on
shore (the latter only as being the most economical) ; but if it is to be uncertain and
desultory the expense of a depôt may be saved. And in this case the emigrants required
inay be obtained as well through the agency of a respectable mercantile house as by the
instrumentality of a Government agent.
5. No emigration from China will be safe or satisfactory until soine of those who have
left return with favourable accounts of the West Indies, and till this takes place the
respectable Chinese will continue to regard this emigration with suspicion and distrust.
If the accounts be favourable, the emigration may become to a great extent self
supporting, for thousands will be eager to emigrate , and will gladly undertake to pay
at least a portion of the passage money, as soon as their confidence has been secured.
6. I have already stated frequently that I see no prospect of procuring women , except
by purchase, direct or indirect. If the Government will authorize me to advance money
for this purpose I have no doubt of success. Girls of respectable connexion may be
obtained for about forty dollars of ten to fifteen years of age, and I propose to pay this
amount to a few of the more respectable emigrants, and leave them to make their own
arrangements, on condition of their marrying the women before the departure of the
vessel. When favourable accounts are brought from the West Indies by returned Chinese
emigrants , it may become unnecessary to resort to this method to procure women and
children ; but until that takes place, if my information be correct, there is no probability
of obtaining women without purchase, forsuch is the universal custom of the country.
7. In iny last communication I stated that I could not get access to the depôt at Macao ;
but being furnished with introductions from Canton I returned there on my way back to
Hongkong. Mr. Jorgé at once consented to my seeing it, on condition that I should
communicate nothing in reference to it, either to Government or to the newspapers.
I found everything exceedingly well arranged and worthy of imitation, and the whole
establishment such as I should be glad to see in Hongkong. I found 480 stout men
and boys well lodged and well clothed, and looking clean and comfortable, and the
arrangements of the place in every way satisfactory. As Mr. Jorge has purchased vessels
for the service, this portion of the Cuban emigration may be considered as well organized
vessels, although he
and likely to be permanent. He has not been able to charter any about
has offered as high as seventy dollars per emigrant. As he puts fifty per cent.
more men on board than would be allowed by the English Passengers' Act, this sum of
seventy dollars is equivalent to about 105 dollars to the British West Indies. He
informs me that the vessels despatched by him towards the close of last season arrived in
Cuba without any accident, and that the ratio of mortality among the emigrants was
very trifling
8. There is no prospect of obtaining a European surgeon ; none can be obtained here ;
and the vessels from Australia, California, and India do not bring any . If I succeed in
procuring vessels, I shall have to despatch them with Chinese surgeons instead ; and if it
be made imperative for the future that European surgeons must be employed, it will be
necessary to make
Chinese have arrangements for
left this for California this surgeonsin(except
without purpose England. Upwards
their own) of 40,000
; and I am not
aware that any epidemic has broken out, or that any untoward accident has occurred to
mar the success of a single voyage. Almost everything depends on the captain, and
the surgeons likely to be picked up here are men whose services would probably be of
little or no value. The surgeon of the “ Emigrant,” who was engaged at a high salary
for the voyage to Demerara , died of " delirium tremens” from sheer drunkenness a few
days after the voyage had been abandoned .
9. As to emigration generally, I see no reason to doubt that any number of people
may be obtained that the resources of the West India colonies can afford,
( 13 )
That portion of the Cuban emigration which is established at Macao is, except as
to the overcrowding of the vessels, on a satisfactory footing, and is likely to be of a
permanent character.
An extensive and increasing emigration is going forward to California . Numbers of
Chinese return from there, and goback again, after having made here such purchases as
they think likely to yield profit. Hardly a week passes without vessels arriving from and
leaving for San Francisco,so that the intercourse is regular and well established. There
are now in harbour two English vessels of considerable size, which have been purchased
by Chinese expressly for this trade, and a line of packets has been lately established by a
respectable firm , with vessels * advertised to sail at stated periods. The emigration to
California may therefore be considered as thoroughly well established, and as likely to
increase yearly, at least for some years to come.
As yet, little or nothing has taken place in emigration to Australia ; but as a few
Chinese have recently returned from there, and have brought with them a good deal of
gold, it is expected that emigration will set in to Australia in the same manner as to
California.f
The Peruvian consul at Canton has recently issued a notice that the Peruvian
“ Government conceive it undesirable to encourage the importation of Chinese Coolies
“ into Peru, and will henceforth decline to enforce the observance of any contracts that
may be entered into between shippers and Coolies.” This will in all probability check
the shipment of labourers to that quarter.
The “ Sea Witch ” (American ) is now in harbour, and proceeds shortly to Namoa, to
take labourers for the Panama Railway. Her upper deck has been housed over from the
mizen forward, so that she will carry nearly as many passengers on this deck as on her
'tween deck, and in all many more than would be permitted by the English Passengers
Act. The agent for the company has not been able to charter any vessels here, although
he is authorized to give very high terms for the conveyance of labourers. The Sea
Witch ” was chartered in New York, and was fitted out there for her present occupation.
10. I have drawn upon the Commissioners in favour of Messrs. Dent and Co. for 5001.
sterling, so as to have some funds in hand for the payment of any disbursements that may
be required. The bill is at thirty days,' and under date 10th December.
I have, & c.
S. Walcot, Esq. , Secretary, ( Signed) JAMES T. WHITE.
Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners.
& c. &c. &c.
DEAR SIRS, Hong Kong, December 9, 1853.
IF any vessels arrive at Amoy suitable for the emigration service, I shall feel
obliged by your taking them up on my account, for theconveyance of 500 to 600
emigrants to British Guiana, and a similar number to Jamaica. The first vessel to go
to Jamaica. The ship to provide wood, water, and the necessary fittings, and a European
surgeon, if one can be obtained ; and the amount to be paid must not exceed 1 + 1. 10s.
sterling, or $ 70, for every emigrant landed . I name this sum as the maximum , and
trust you will be able to procure freight at lower rates.
You are aware of the stringent provisions of the English Passengers Act ; and I
must urge you not to employ any vessel that is not unexceptionally sea -worthy, and
in every way suited for the comfortable conveyance of emigrants. They must be care
fully surveyed.
I wish these vessels to take emigrants from Namoa ; and if you will inform me when
a vessel has been chartered, I will,if possible,meet her at that place. I have arranged
with your Mr. Tait as to the commission you will be entitled to charge for this service,
and also as to the probable outlay for local charges, and for provision and clothing to
the emigrants, amounting in the aggregate to $24, and if two months wages, or $8,
be paid in advance, the total sum required per man will be $ 32, which sum I shall
be prepared to advance as soon as I am informed that a vessel has been taken up for
the service.
The provisions must be of the best quality, and the supply of water abundant; but on
this and other points connected with the emigration I will write hereafter.
To obviate the inconvenience and dissatisfaction that appears to have arisen in the
West Indies by deducting $1 a month from the wages of the emigrants, so as to refund
to the colonies the $8 advanced here, I think it would be well, instead of having any
reference to these $8 in the contract, merely to stipulate that for the first eight months
after their arrival they will be entitled to receive as wages (exclusive of food, &c. ) only
$3 a month, after which they will be placed on the full allowance of $ 1. Interpreters are
absolutely necessary.
I am , &c.
Messrs. Tait and Co., Amoy. ( Signed ) JAMES T. WHITE.
&c. & c.
* One of these is the “ Lord Warriston,” a fine vessel, which the Commissioners may, perhaps,
remember was tendered to them by Mr. Hamlin, a few days before I left London.
† Three vessels are now advertised for Port Philip and Sydney, and are intended to carry
passengers.
B 3
(250.)
( 14 )
I understand that no commission will be charged for chartering. I send a copy of some
papers relating to emigration ,” which will show the spirit in which the colonial
authorities desire that this emigration should be carried on.
Encl. 2 in No. 8. (No. 4.) Enclosure 2 in No. 8.
SIR , Hong Kong, December 26, 1853.
Nothing of any interest connected with emigration has occurred since I had the
honour of addressing you on the 10th instant.
2. Very few vessels have arrived, and these all under previous engagements, so that
the rates of freight are fully as high as they were ; and as there is a great deal of Chinese
produce on hand waiting for shipment, it is probable that they will go even higher.
3. No vessels have been taken up here, either for Panama, Peru, or Cuba, but
Mr. Jorge has purchased another vessel ( now at Manilla under the French flag, for the
Cuban emigration .
4. As an indication of the high rates of freight now current, I may mention that a
vessel being required for the conveyance to England of the invalids of the 59th regiment,
tenders were called for in the usual form , but only one vessel was offered ( the " Enter
prize "), and the rate required 151. per man . Last year the rate paid was 301. This
tender was rejected; but an arrangement has since been made, by which the rate per man
is reduced to 40l ., the difference being made up, or nearly so , by the freight payable ou
stores that are to be sent home, and by other concessions.
5. Upwards of 800 Chinese have returned from California since the 10th instant.
passenger on board one of the vessels that brought 300 informs me that they appeared,
all of them , to have plenty of money , and that they stated their intention of returning to
California as soon as they had seen their friends and enjoyed the festivities of the new
year. The return of Chinese under such favourable circumstances must naturally stimulate
emigration to that quarter, and the communication is now so certain and so frequent
that it cannot fail to become of considerable importance.
6. Subjoined is a memorandum furnished to me by Mr. Jorge of the three vessels
despatched by him at the close of the last emigration season. It is singular that the
mortality was least on board of the vessel that was most crowded.
Tons. Coolies. Died .
Sophia 240 250 17
Viaganté 300 51
Victoria 500 400 53
950 121
The mortality on board of the “ Viaganté” was caused by “ scurvy," which broke out
ninety days after leaving this ; and he attributes it entirely to the negligence of the
captain .
The mortality on board of the “ Victoria ” he attributes to her being despatched “ too
late in the season, about the end of March .”
7. He has made arrangements for this season with parties residing at Anjer, and at the
Cape of Good Hope and St Helena, to furnish his vessels with whatever provisions or
supplies may be required, and he makes it imperative upon the captains to call at Anjer
for fresh vegetables and pigs, and at the Cape of Good Hope or at St. Helena, or at
both , if necessary, for the same purpose, taking sheep at the Cape instead of pigs. These
arrangements are good, and might be adopted with advantage in our West Indian
emigration, for the various breaks in the voyage, and the frequent supply of fresh
vegetables and water, must conduce to the health, comfort, and cheerfulness of the
emigrants.
8. Difficulties, however, occur in spite of bis precautions and care. By late advices
from Singapore I learn, that the “ Adamastor,” of 400 tons, despatched by Mr. Jorge
for Cuba in last October, with upwards of 300 Coolies on board, had put into that port,
the captain being compelled to this step under the threat of losing his life. The Coolies
deserted the ship immediately after her arrival, and the voyage was necessarily abandoned.
9. Incidents such as this deter captains from embarking in the emigration service ;
and to show the general feeling that prevails on the subject, I annex the copy of a
letter from the consignee of the " Jamestown," to whom I had made an offer for the
conveyance of emigrants to Jamaica .
10. The proper season for emigration is passing away so rapidly that I have taken
upon myself the responsibility of offering $ 80 for the passage of emigrants to the West
Indies. This sum , payable on arrival, is equal to £ 16 13 4
The provisions, clothing, and local charges will amount to about $ 25,
which at the current high rates of exchange will not be less than - 6 6 8
Making in all L 23 0 0
( 15 )
This is an amount beyond which the Commissioners would not, as I apprehend,
authorize me to advance, nor would any such advance be sanctioned by the local
governments.
I have, &c.
S. Walcot , Esq ., Secretary , (Signed) JAMES T. WHITE
Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners,
&c. &c. & c.
MY DEAR SIR, Canton, December 10, 1853.
INFORMED through Captain Moore you are very desirous of getting forward
Coolies to Jamaica, and ready to pay very liberally, considering the scarcity of tonnage,
I am induced to solicit an offer for the “ Jamestown." I send this by express boat, as
time is an object, and the voyage for this ship already marked out for Manilla. Still your
offer may be an object for me to abandon the latter, therefore you must send me your
very best terms, as on receipt of same I shall either accept them or close my despatches
to Captain Moore for Manilla .
Let your offer be very clear. Say S per head for 500, or as many more as the ship
can take in her 'tween decks.
Freight to be paid on the number shipped, less two (2) per cent. in the event of any
mortality amounting to more than that per- centage, and no further abatement in any
case, not excepting the possibility of the ship stopping on the voyage and the men
escaping
Shipto find water and fuel only, and to be despatched on 1st January, or sooner if
possible.
Freight to be paid in Spanish dollars, on arrival of the ship at Jamaica.
'Tis unnecessary to send me an offer coupled with receiving freight on the number of
Coolies landed, as it will not be considered for a moment.
So much has been said of your readiness to pay a ship more liberally than present rate
of freights will yield, I shall be most happy to abandon the Manilla voyage of the
Jamestown,” and meet you promptly ; but remember the last clause, as I cannot take the
slightest risk of being disappointed in the out-turn of the freight.
As the post boat may give me your reply earlier than the bearer of this can return ,
better write by it.
Very truly,
(Signed) H. W. HUBBETT.
Enclosure 3 in No. 8 .
Encl . 3 in No. 8.
Colonial Land and Emigration Office,
SIR , Park-street, Westminster, February 24, 1854.
I Am directed by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners to acknowledge
your letters, No. 2. of the 10th December, and No. 4. of the 26th December last.
The Commissioners regret much that you should have been unable to procure any
shipping for emigrants for the West Indies. They entirely approve of your having
increased your offer to $80 a head ; they also fully approve the proceedings which you
propose to take in regard of obtaining women, understanding your intention to be this -
that as wives are, in fact, obtained by purchase in China, you will furnish some of the
emigrants procured by you with the means of effecting marriages in this, the usual manner,
taking care that the connection thus formed is one of aa natureas legitimate and obligatory
as the law and usage of China renders possible.
With regard to your intention to employ native surgeons, the Commissioners cannot
but feel much apprehension, especially observing the large mortality which has taken
place in two out of the three ships despatched by M. Jorgé to Cuba. They trust that
if you find yourself forced to have recourse to this class of persons, you will have spared
no pains to secure as capable a person as can be obtained.
The Commissioners would not as yet feel at liberty to sanction the expenditure of
money in a depôt. The emigration from Hongkong is at present experimental, not a
single cargo of emigrants having been yet collected at that port. The Commissioners
are glad to observe that you anticipate no difficulty in obtaining emigrants, but they do
not think so large an expense (which does not appear to be indispensable) should be
incurred, at least till those anticipations have been tested by experience. There is, how
ever, one point in your proceedings to which the Commissioners cannot advert without
great regret. Your instructions authorize you to despatch emigrants from Hongkong,
or, if necessary, from Amoy. But you state that you have entered into an engagement
with Mr. Tait for despatching vessels from Namoa. There appeared reason to be dis
satisfied with the mode in which the Messrs. Tait conducted in 1852 such part of the
West Indian emigration as fell into their hands. Emigration from Namoa is, as you are
aware, in direct violation of our treaties with China, and on that account, when emigra
tion was set on foot from that port last year, it elicited an immediate remonstrance
(250.) B4
( 16 )
from the Foreign Office. The Commissioners trust, therefore, that no emigrants will
have been despatched from that or any other locality which is not legally open to
British trade.
The Commissioners have perused with much interest the account which you give of
the emigration to Cuba and other destinations. They are glad to perceive that a stop
has been put to an emigration alleged to be connected with so many abuses as that to
Peru .
I have, &c.
( Signed ) S. WALCOTT,
J. T. White, Esq. Secretary.
Encl. 4 in No. 8 . Enclosure 4 in No. 8.
GENTLEMEN , Downing Street, March 17, 1854.
I Am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 25th ultimo, transmitting copies of two letters from Mr. White, reporting
his proceedings in connexion with the emigration of Chinese to the West Indies, together
with a copy of the answer you have returned to Mr. White.
I am to acquaint you , in reply, that the Duke of Newcastle approves of your answer
to Mr. White ; and his Grace has directed the Governor of Hong Kong to instruct the
Surveyor-General of that colony to place himself in communication with Mr. White
respecting the establishment of a depôt, in the case of the continuance of emigration,
and to report his opinion respecting the expediency of such a step.
As regards the mode suggested by Mr. White for obtaining female emigrants, whilst
his Grace is aware that Chinese marriages are always a matter of purchase of the wife
from her parents , he desires that Mr. White be instructed to take care that neither him
self nor his agents are the purchasers. The way to prevent such a result will, in his
Grace's opinion, be to offer a bounty to married emigrants equivalent to the price paid
by a man of the labouring class for his wife. He will then , in consideration of this
summ , make his own domestic arrangements, and of course bring his wife with him .
I have, & c.
The Colonial Land and Emigration (Signed) H. MERIVALE.
Commissioners.
No. 9. No. 9.
Copy of DESPATCH from Lieutenant -Governor Caine to the Duke of
NEWCASTLE.
( No. 23. ) Victoria, Hongkong, June 5, 1854 .
My Lord DUKE, (Received August 7, 1854. )
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's despatch
* Page 10 of 16th March last, ** giving cover to sundry letters from Mr. White, late West
India Emigration Agent in this colony, and the correspondence relating to
these letters .
2. Your Grace desires me to instruct the Surveyor-General to place himself
in communication with Mr. White respecting the establishment of a depôt for
Chinese emigrant Coolies destined for the West Indies, and to report my
own opinion as to the expediency of such a measure. Mr. White having, as
your Grace will have been apprised, returned to England at the termination of
the season favourable to emigration , I can only comply with the second
requirement.
3. I am decidedly of opinion, with Mr. White, that if the emigration to the
West Indies from this place is to be systematic and constant, it cannot be con
ducted in so creditable a manner as the Governinent would wish, without the
establishment of a depôt on shore or afloat : the former would probably be the
least expensive both as to its original cost, and in regard to the establishment
necessary for its due regulation.
4. It is difficult to imagine how , without the aid of such an establishment,
labourers can be selected of such class as by their introduction would benefit
the Colonies, for this must necessarily require time ; nor how, when such
selection has been made, the Coolies can be prevented from absconding after
the receipt of the advanced wages that are always given as a part of the
inducement to emigrate. The ordinary lay -days of a ship chartered for the
voyage cannot be sufficient time, nor the ship a suitable place, for these
preliminary arrangements ; and the fact that such a depót has been found
1
( 17 )
necessary both at Macao, where emigration is in private hands, and in Calcutta,
where itis under the supervision of the Government, seems to strengthen the
supposition that it would also be a requisite here.
5. Such an establishment would also seem necessary to realize Mr. White's
anticipations of success with regard to inducing married men and families to
emigrate. Unquestionably it is most desirable that in emigration of every
kind the proportion of male and female emigrants be as nearly as possible
equal. When this is the case the removal of labourers from a country where
the wages of labour are barely sufficient for their scanty subsistence to another
country where labour is in great demand, and the climate at the same time
suitable, must be a source of mutual benefit, and a work of high philan
thropy. To accomplish this equalization of sexes among Chinese emigrants,
we must tolerate Chinese ignorance and Chinese prejudice in regard to ma
trimony, which we shall find on examination to be, after all, not so far different
from our own notions as might at first sight be supposed. Mr. White, in
advocating the purchase of women might with equal truth have used a term
less abhorrent to our notions of freedom and less suggestive of abuse ; for in
reality the money and presents given to the parents of the bride are considered
to be for the purpose of enabling them to send her to her husband's house pro
vided with a suitable wardrobe, and in a manner becoming their station . Per
haps the question propounded by the parents to the intending husband what
sum of money he was willing to disburse to induce them to place their daughter
at his disposal, might not to European ears appear more indecorous than would
to Chinese ears the converse of the question as propounded by intending hus
bands in Europe to parents what sum of money they were willing to add as a
dowry to their daughter, to induce him to place himself at her disposal. And
both in China and England mercenary considerations in such engagements
are admitted to be abnormal and improper.
6. It is true that such a bounty on marriage as that proposed, might induce
some to select as their wives prostitutes from the numerous brothels within
their reach ; but the better the class of emigrants selected, the less probability
of this contingency ; and even should its occurrence be certain I cannot look
upon it withany degree of apprehension ;ܪon the contrary, I believe that
very many of this unfortunate class of females, were such an opportunity
presented to them of escaping from their terrible bondage, would most gladly
avail themselves ofit, and become thereafter grateful and virtuous wives ; for a
great number of them , perhaps a large majority, are purchased as slaves in
their infancy, and are so trained up for the express purpose of prostitution,
that their mode of life can scarcely be termed voluntary. Here it is true they
are free ( and they constantly take advantage of their freedom in this manner ),
but on the mainland they are, I imagine, utterly without the power, if without
the money, to obtain their liberty. I am glad that this subject is occupying
the attention of Her Majesty's Government, for I consider it to be one of the
greatest importance.
7. The very best stimulant of emigration to the West Indies would be, as
Mr. White remarks, the return to China for a season of those who have already
emigrated , earned money , and been well treated in the country of their tempo
rary adoption.
8. With regard to the treatment of emigrants on board their ships, the great
desideratum is the selection of a good captain, for on him, more than on any
arrangements that can be made before the departure of the vessel , depend the
comfort, health, and good humour of the passengers. For this reason it is
most desirable that aa sufficient number of ships for the season's emigration be
chartered in England.
9. The Passengers Act seems to me to be unnecessarily stringent, in regard
to the number that each vessel is allowed to carry. Vessels hence to Califor
nia, almost without exception , build deck houses for the accommodation of
passengers, and when they find it more profitable than to carry cargo, they lay
an orlop deck also for the same purpose. The American Passengers Act allows
this ; and the emigration officer ( recently appointed, as your Grace was in
formed by my despatch of 4th * of May last), with my sanction, permits the Page 9.
practice to continue, taking care only that fully twelve feet of space be allowed
to each adult on the upper decks, and twenty -four feet on the orlop -deck — the
(250.) с
( 18 )
height between the decks being six feet. This I consider to be fully sufficient
forthe preservation of health , and it satisfies both the Chinese passenger and
the shipowner; and I see no reason why the sameindulgence should not be
allowed to ships carrying emigrants to the West Indies. It is obvious that
such a relaxation from the stringent provisions of the English Passengers Act,
would materially diminish the cost to the colonies of each emigrant. The great
points to be attended to are, the seaworthiness and ventilation of the vessel,
the quality and quantity of the provisions, and the space allowed to each pas
senger. If on these the emigration officer satisfy himself, I consider others of
minor importance.
10. It would be well, I think, if some local enactment were made to meet
the peculiar situation of this place. Under present circumstances, though
some effective control is absolutely requisite, the emigration officer is placed
in the anomalous position of acting under a law of which he enforces not a
great deal more than its general spirit ;ܪto carry it out in the letter would, in my
view , be productive of nothing but harm . It would simply drive away from
our harbour a source of employment and wealth to the colonists, which it
should be our anxious endeavour to foster and increase, and would not at the
same time tend in any way to further the interest of the emigrant or of
humanity. Such an enactment I purpose to submit to your Graceat a future
time, when we shall have had more experience of what is required: to delay
it seems necessary, not only on the score of deficient knowledge, but also that
it may; if possible, be made to square with the intention ofthe Emigration
Commissioners in regard to the more permanent and systematic establishment
of the West Indian emigration, and with further reference to the measureson
the same subject, which, I am given to understand, it is the intention of Her
Majesty's Government to bring before Parliament at an early period.
11. I would add, in conclusion, that if the Commissioners think fit to employ
the emigration officer already appointed here to organize measures for a
regular supply to the West India Colonies of Coolie emigrants, instead of
sending out a special agent for the purpose, this Government will not object.
He is, I believe,quite competentfor the task, and, from his acquaintance with
the language and people, peculiarly fitted for it ; but his services would be
available as a supervisor only - want of tinie would coinpel him to leave much
of the details to some trustworthy subordinate. In the former capacity and as
a correspondent of the Emigration Board , I have no doubt his services would
be very valuable, and would require for their remuneration a much smaller
expenditure than would be necessary in the case of an officer sent fromEngland
for the purpose. I make these remarks under the impression that Mr. White
does not wish to return to China, and that the Commissioners may have some
difficulty in finding a suitable successor. That the emigration can be con
ducted only during one -half of the year is, perhaps, an additional reason for
the employment as agent of some person not wholly dependent for support
upon the emoluments of the office.
I have, & c.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, ( Signed ) W. CAINE.
&c. & c.
No. 10. No. 10.
Copy of DESPATCH from Lieut.-Governor CAINE to the Right Hon .
Sir GEORGE GREY.
Victoria, Hongkong, March 14, 1855.
(No. 39.) (Received May 9, 1855.)
SIR, (Answered, No. 11, June 5, 1855.)
I HAVE the honour to enclose copies of proclamation and notification
Page 19 . recently promulgated in this colony on the subject of emigration.
I have, & c.
The Right Hon . Sir George Grey, Bart. ( Signed ) W. CAINE.
&c. &c. &c.
( 19 :)
Enclosure in No. 10. Encl. in No. 10 .
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
With reference to the provisions of “ The Passengers' Act, 1852” restricting the number
of passengers to which the required space of twelve feet has been allotted to one for every
two tons of the ship's registered burthen , the emigration officer has been instructed to
apply to all ships a uniform standard of measurement, namely — that now or hereafter to
be employed for ascertaining the capacity of British vessels. — Ships not registered under
the latest Imperial Acts must therefore procure from the Government Surveyor a certifi
cate of their actual capacity before they can be passed by the emigration officer.
By order,
W.T. MERCER,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong, 9th March, 1855.
Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Encl. 2 in No. 10 .
PROCLAMATION .
JOHN BOWRING .
WHEREAS by a Proclamation dated 28th December 1853, made in pursuance of the
85th Section of “ The Passengers' Act, 1852, ” it was declared that the provisions and
medicines supplied to passenger ships should be in accordance with certain scales in the
said Proclamation duly set forth, and whereas these scales have been found in some points
unsuited to the wants of Chinese passengers, it is hereby declared that with respect
to passengers being Chinese or persons accustomed to Chinese diet the supply of provisions
and medicines for passenger ships may in future be as follows.
Provisions.
Or such amount of
Rice lbs. 1 per diem provisions customari
Salted Provisions ly used by Chinese as
wholly pork ; or may in the judgment
pork and į fish ; or 1/ do. ofthe emigration offi
špork, beef, and fish
Salted vegetables or pickles ១ do.