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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
PELLIC.O. 8
· 885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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EMIGRATION FROM CHINA TO THE WEST INDIES. comparative scale of 3 to 2 of former. The terms on which we have hitherto engaged them are two to four dollars per month, finding them passage, rations, food, medical attendance, habitation, and two suits of clothing per annum, also passage back if required, but the latter stipulation has never been exacted; and, to remove all trouble, we would suggest a bonus being given instead to every one who actually embarked for home on the expiry of his of it. We think with you, agreement, as few would be found to avail however, that, taking into consideration their industrious habits, and the neces- sity as well as the value of labour, it would be advisable to give them the option, on arrival, of doing job instead of day work, and to pay them accordingly,- guaranteeing, of course, that they would make per month the same at least as agreed on.
It would be advisable to send one headman and two or three subordinates. who could speak, read, and write English, to communicate their wishes till they became conversant with the language of their superiors. Such men could easily be procured at Amoy, but would require to be closely watched, as pre- sumption on authority for personal aggrandisement is inseparable from the Chinese character in every situation of life.
One or two native doctors, and the same number of musicians, (who, with the cooks, would be exempt from other labour, unless they chose, when not pro- fessionally occupied,) are indispensable, not only to keep them in health, but in spirits, as otherwise they are very subject to "mal de pays,” which, when established, is very fatal to them.
Although they have been found to intermarry freely with the aborigines wherever they have gone, and the "Chinese Mestizo" of the Phillippines are physically speaking a very fine race, it would be desirable at first to introduce, if posssible, a few families; for which, if practicable, a bonus would require to be given, as, independent of emigration being by the Chinese laws strictly pro- hibited, their attachment to country and locality is very strong. We have made on which we every inquiry as to expense of transport, which is the only point are at a loss, and the result has decided us on tendering to land the Coolies at the rate of 18. (eighteen pounds sterling) per head for adults landed at the port of destination, or seven pounds, shipped at Amoy, with provisions for the voyage. We should, however, prefer the former, as we would be enabled thereby to select both ships and commanders, which is a most important par- ticular, as thereon, in a great measure, depends the success of the operation.
Should we be favoured with the contract, we need hardly observe that our best efforts will be employed to give every satisfaction, as, independent of the influence it will give us in the employment of shipping, we will be able to put into practice a favourite theory of many years standing; and, should experience enable us to reduce the expense hereafter, we will cheerfully modify the rates accordingly.
One member of our firm purposes making a short visit to England in the course of two months, and will be glad to give there any information not embodied in this letter that may be required; and, should anything also occur to you before the departure of the mail that has not been touched, we will be happy to satisfy your inquiries.
In conclusion, we may mention that the sanction or rather recognizance by Her Majesty's Government of the operation through the Governor here, and the Consul at Amoy, will be of considerable importance in carrying it out.
We have, &c.
MY DEAR SIR,
(Signed) SYME MUIR and Co.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
J. D. MUIR Esq. to JAMES T. WHITE Esq.
Hong Kong, 3d June 1851.
I Now proceed to reply to your favour of 31st May in detail.
I have no objection to make the modification you suggest regarding children
in either way that may be practicable.
The opium, as well as everything else necessary for the voyage, we would of course provide; and I merely mentioned this circumstance as a necessity which will at first be required to be provided after arrival, in case it should be wanted,
not as a matter of course.
EMIGRATION FROM CHINA TO THE WEST INDIES,
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The rations are about 1 lbs. of rice, and lb. of salt fish or meat, to each adult per day, with tea and vegetables, which, as they are so very cheap, have
never been rated.
The Coolies would do the full day's work, nine hours; and, I have no doubt, would prefer task-work, as they would thereby earn more money.
The clothing would consist of banjam and trowsers of cotton or drill, and china shoes; any finery they would provide themselves.
The headman I would pay well, in order that he should maintain with respectability his position of mandarin. I would suggest 2001. per annum, and
a house.
The native doctors, musicians, &c., would do their work in the colony with the others, but would require additional pay for their "professional" services. Indeed, they are to be considered as necessary adjuncts for the good working of the scheme.
The advance would be two months' pay before leaving, which they generally leave with their friends, or expend in the purchase of little comforts for the voyage, and being cash advanced must be recoverable from their pay within six or eight months after arrival.
It is of course understood that, with the exceptions I have named, and perhaps one or two "barbers," all the emigrants are to be agriculturists, and to enter for five years' service in the colony; to have the option of working under contract
or on their own account, on payment of a small tax, the monthly wages for which they engage being guaranteed them.
The Government recognizance would remove all obstacles, and I imagine it would cheerfully be given to any feasible project intended for the benefit of the colonies.
I have no copies of contracts by me, but will get them from Amoy; they are, however, in my opinion, very vaguely framed, and I imagine illegal from infor- mality, and if so would be valueless as guides.
I have written for the information regarding the export of Coolies from different parts of China, but think that in round numbers I could name them for the last two years.
From Cumsingmoon for South America, 2,200.
From Hong Kong for California, 4,000.
From Shanghae for California, 300.
From Amoy for sundry places, 18,000. Namoa, being part of the Fokien province, is included with Amoy. It is a small island, with about 10,000 inhabitants, and its only importance consists in being the dividing boundary of the two provinces of Canton and Fokien.
I hope these remarks will be of use; and, should more information be required,
I will be happy to supply it if in my power.
The question has gone abroad, but not through me; I have even been applied to, to ascertain if shipping is wanted, but I have replied that I have no authority to say anything in the matter.
MY DEAR SIR,
I have, &c. (Signed) J. D. MUIR.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
J. A. DURRAM Esq. to J. T. WHITE Esq.
I HAVE the pleasure of sending you the memorandum required of expense of shipping Coolies.
Do.
Macao, 17th June 1851.
Commission, for each man
to Chinese collector Food, for each man, per month
$5 0 4 0
$8 50
Water, for each man, a gallon a day
2 0
5 50
Estimating the voyage at 5 months (including the pur-
chase of casks)
27 50
2 0
1 50
3 0
Two suits of summer clothing
One suit of winter do.
Various articles for the voyage
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