PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:-
C.O. 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.
18. The emigrants to Sydney and Moreton Bay have given entire satisfaction, and arrangements are now in progress to send in 1,000 more without delay. Messrs. Tait & Co. inform me, that the emigrants in Sydney appear to have given up entirely the Chinese dress, and endeavour to assume as much as possible the manners and appearance of Europeans, so that a shipment of Chinese clothes made to Sydney was found useless, and was returned to Amoy. This incident, which is quite contrary to their usual practice, shows their aptness for emigration, as it indicates a desire, under favourable circumstances, to naturalize themselves in a new country, and would probably ensure their settling permanently on the expiry of their engagements. In general, however, they adhere rigidly, wherever they go, to their own dress, customs, and national peculiarities; but this may perhaps arise in a great measure from their having only been brought into contact with people of a lower civilization, the number of Europeans being too few and scattered to exercise much influence on their social characteristics.
19. If the colonies shall decide upon giving a trial to this emigration, I would recommend that it be left, in the first instance, to the management of any respectable firm willing to undertake the operation. 1,000 or 1,200 men to Demarara, and 800 to Trinidad, would be sufficient as an experiment. If these should answer well, and the colonies desire to carry on emigration upon an extensive scale, it would then be advisable to establish an agent, and to organize a system somewhat similar to that in Calcutta. Better people would be obtained, and the operation carried on with more economy. But at first this emigration must be looked upon as experimental; and any house that may undertake to procure and send forward the emigrants will, from a regard to their own cha- racter, and looking to the prospective advantages likely to arise to themselves if the emigration should be successful, take all necessary precautions to obtain efficient labourers.
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20. My absence in Amoy has prevented me from coming to any definite arrangement with the several parties referred to in the 11th paragraph of my last communication, No. 12, so that the matter is still under consideration. have a good deal of correspondence, which I shall forward to your Excellency
transcribed. as soon as I can get the letters and papers
21. In all my communications with the various parties here and at Amoy I have considered the English Passengers Act as the basis of negotiation, and have stated distinctly that the general provisions and stipulations of that Act, as far as applicable to this emigration, would be insisted on as being necessary to
he safety and well-being of the emigrants.
I have also stated that nine hours of steady and continuous labour, or the taskwork corresponding thereto, would be required from the emigrant as an equivalent for his monthly wages.
2. If your Excellency should deem it advisable to issue a proclamation on the subject of emigration from this quarter, I would suggest that it be worded so as to include all ports or places in the provinces of Canton and Fokien. My reason for this is, that the best agricultural labourers will probably be obtained, not at Hong Kong or Amoy, or other large ports, but at such places as Cumsingmoon and Namoa. These are opium stations, where the opium receiving vessels lie in sheltered harbours off the mainland. They are at a distance from any large town, but are close upon large agricultural districts and villages, where labourers may be obtained with comparative facility.
93. In comparing this emigration with that from India, I think there can be little doubt as to its superior advantages. The Indians are certainly more docile, and more easily managed than the Chinese; but the latter possess physical strength," industry, and an eager desire to obtain money, and to better their position; they have no thought of a return passage, and hitherto have settled permanently in every country to which they have emigrated. The question as to obtaining a supply of women seems to be attended with almost equal difficulty in India and in China; and in both countries a long time must elapse before the difficulties
can be overcome.
EMIGRATION FROM CHINA TO THE WEST INDIES. 18
I believe that, ultimately, the cost of emigration from here will be very little higher than from India, and may fairly be represented by the difference in length of voyage, which, under ordinary and similar circumstances, will not exceed 12 or 14 days.
£2 10
Estimating the local charges in India (everything inclusive) at
And the shipping expenses
as the average cost of Indian emigration.
10 10
This gives
18
0
The local charges in China, under a responsible agent, appointed by the colony, will not exceed, probably not amount to, so much as the charges in India, say
The freight ought not to exceed
This gives
£210
12 10
15 0
or a difference of 21 per man in the cost of this emigration. It will, in all probability, be more expensive at first, but, once regulated and formed into a system, will not exceed the sum named.
The cost of the return passage will be entirely saved.
21. In comparing this emigration with that from Africa, I cannot disguise from myself the conviction that Africa is the proper and legitimate source whence a supply of labour may be obtained for the West Indies. I am inclined to look very favourably upon Chinese emigration, for I think their habits and character dispose them to become useful labourers, and permanent settlers; but the distance hence is very great, the cost of their emigration will be considerable, and the difficulty, or rather the apparent impossibility of obtaining women and female children, except by purchase, present great difficulties in the way of a successful and permanent colonization. On the other hand, the coast of Africa is comparatively near, the cost of emigration will be trifling, and women may be obtained (except in such cases as the kroomen) in equal proportion to the men. The Chinese possess more intelligence, and habits of greater industry, and have attained a higher civilization; but, all circumstances considered, it will probably be found that the Africans, especially if they can be obtained at a young age, are better suited to the peculiarities of soil and climate in the West Indies, and to supply the immediate want of labour. Their importation will cost little; and there can be no doubt that they will be permanent residents in the country.
SIR,
No. 3.
I have, &c.
JAMES T. WHITE.
JAMES T. WHITE Esq. to HENRY BARKLY Esq., Governor of British Guiana.
Hong Kong, July 23, 1851.
SINCE addressing your Excellency on the 19th instant, I have, at the instance of Dr. Gutzlaff, had an interview with some Chinese in reference to emigration to the West Indies. The Doctor had been in previous communication” with then, so that they came prepared on the subject.
2. Subjoined are the terms proposed. They were fairly drawn out on paper, in Chinese, and I noted down at the moment the verbal translation, as given by Dr. Gutzlaff.
PROPOSITION of Ching-A-Soo, on the part of the Tung-kwan sugar growers, subject to the modifications of the British employer.
1. Each labourer to receive $6 per month, and his employer to feed him.
2. Over 12 to appoint a headman, who shall receive in advance $100, under the obligation to marry, and then to receive with his wife $12 per month.
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