CO885(1-2) — Page 341

Encl. I in No.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference --

LTC.O.

سنسنا

885

14

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO

and Chinese Governments. On the first head it is to be observed, that proper arrangements on ship-board are peculiarly important in this emigration, as shown not only by the loss of life which has occurred on board some cooly ships, and which of course would be charged on any faulty arrangements, if any there were, but by the fatal mutinies which have taken place on board some ships carrying Chinese, and which are ascribed to their discontent with their treatment, especially in regard to diet. Under the second head, Sir John Pakington will remember that, although an immense emigration is in point of fact taking place from China, it is, strictly speaking, in violation of the law.

10. These being the difficulties of the emigration, four modes of carrying it on present themselves :-

First. Under the ordinances passed for that purpose in Trinidad and British Guiana. These ordinances provide that planters may introduce Chinese immi- grants under contracts of service nominally for five years, but really deter- minable by the immigrant at the expiration of each year; with the provision, however, that if the contracts are so determined, the importer may claim back from the colony a proportionate part of cost of the immigrant's introduction. This system of immigration would be a very good one in almost every particular if only planters of capital and enterprise could be found to take it up. But this is not the case, and the Ordinances in consequence appear to have remained dead letters.

11. Second. In British Guiana a direct bounty of 100 dollars has been offered on Chinese immigrants of the required class. This mode of importation does not afford the best possible security either for the good selection of immigrants or for their treatment on the voyage, nor against illusory or irregular contracts. But it entails no direct responsibility on the British Government in relation to the Chinese, and it has this recommendation, that it has actually been brought into operation, three or four ships having been sent out to British Guiana, and three to take emigrants to Trinidad.. We confess, however, that we should be apprehensive for the results if the traffic were to fall into speculative or untrust- worthy hands, against which the system offers no sort of guarantee.

12. Third. To carry on operations through certain private firms, or a single firm of undoubted respectability and credit with the Chinese, might possibly be an expensive mode of proceeding; but apart from this consideration, would combine almost every advantage. It would secure care and liberality in the carrying on the operations, while it would involve no direct action of the Government. But for the reasons above stated we have reason to fear that the first mercantile houses would not embark in the undertaking. It may be added, that in case the Chinese Government were to interfere with the emigration, a private house which had engaged in it might expect from the British Govern- ment more support than it would be proper to give, and might put forward complaints and claims for indefinite compensation if such support were not given.

18. The remaining course, that suggested by the West India Committee, unites many advantages. A Government agent would exercise a beneficial control over the selection and treatment of the emigrants which could not be expected from anyone else, and the contracts would be fairly explained and regularly made. Mr. White himself is a gentleman not only acceptable to the West Indians, but chosen by them, has shown much activity and intelligence in his mission of inquiry, and has made himself well acquainted with the work which he will be called upon to perform, and has secured the valuable co-opera- tion of Messrs. Dent. But it must be admitted that the Government interven- tion, which must indirectly form the basis of any emigration carried on out of public funds, will be more directly and prominently brought forward by the appointment of an individual to conduct it, with the authority if not the name of a Government agent.

14. It is not for us to pronounce what weight is due to this objection; it' depends on questions of policy and international law, which are beyond our province. We would merely observe that, although nominally forbidden, the emigration is carried on openly, constantly, and on a large scale, without any interference from the authorities; that it would not be necessary for Mr. White to make any parade of his connexion with Government, while that connexion would enable him to prevent those scandals and complaints which would give legitimate occasion for opposition.

EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.

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15. If, therefore, we could consider the matter apart from the question of policy, and were merely to report which mode of proceeding was most likely to place the emigration on a satisfactory footing, we should have no hesitation in recommending the course suggested by the West India Committee. As it is, we can only submit the matter for Sir John Pakington's decision.

16. In any case many questions of detail would have to be considered, but on these it would be premature to enter till we learn on what principle Sir John Pakington would wish to proceed, the different courses being, in short, either, 1. to discontinue all Government interference, leaving the emigration to be carried on or not under the local ordinances or bounties; 2. to repeat our endeavours to obtain the agency of some respectable house; or, S. to send out Mr. White to conduct the emigration with the assistance of his commercial friends, but with the character more or less avowed of a Government agent.

17. We should perhaps add, that we expect a letter from the West India Committee, proposing that Mr. White's salary should continue as heretofore, 1,000l. a year besides his travelling expenses, and that he should be considered as having been in the employment of Government, without intermission, from the period of his appointnient on his East Indian mission. On this point, how- ever, we would propose to report hereafter, when it becomes necessary to enter upon the details of the arrangement.

18. We should also add, that the Committee desire that a speedy decision should, if possible, be arrived at, in order that Mr. White may leave England by this mail.

We have, &c., (Signed)

Herman Merivale, Esq.,

&c. &c.

&c.

SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 4.

T. W. C. MURdoch. FREDERIC ROGERS.

West India Committee Rooms, 12, Old-Jewry, June 28, 1852.

I HAVE had the honour to receive the communications you have made to me, dated 12th and 22d instant, by direction of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commis. sioners, for the consideration of the West India Committee.

Before the receipt of the first of these communications the Committee had learnt with regret that Mr. L. Dent had declined to adopt the memorandum which it enclosed. But as they hoped his objections would be removed, they deferred the expression of any opinion with regard to the course to be pursued. They now understand, that although he declines to permit Dent and Co, of Hong Kong, to be designated as emigration agents, being apprehensive that great aluses will be allowed by persons acting in that capacity, he is quite willing, that if Mr. White should return to China, his partners shall afford all the assistance in their power in effecting his purpose. The Committee are assured by Mr. Campbell, that in this way the same service will be rendered as under the agree- ment contemplated by the memorandum; and as they consider the presence of Mr. White to superintend the despatch of the first expeditions to be very desirable, they beg to recommend that that gentleman should be requested to return to China accordingly.

With reference to the communication dated 221 instant, I am desired to state, that the Committee are extremely anxious to have the emigration from China to the British West Indies conducted, in the first instance, at least, apart from any arrangements that may be made by other colonies, and especially that it should present a favourable contrast, in all its details, to the shipments which are in contemplation for Cuba. Mr. Muir has mentioned that he is to be the agent of Wardrop and Co., the parties who have contracted to send labourers to Cuba, and that fact would alone be a sufficient objection to employing him on behalf of the British West Indies. But there are other reasons for greatly preferring the course which the Committee have, in reply to the invitation of the Commissioners, been induced to recommend. I may add, that Mr. Muir is under a misapprehension in supposing, as he states, that any information furnished by him to Sir George Bonham, led to the mission of Mr. White to India and China.

In consequence of the allusions to individuals, the Committee beg that this commu- nication may be considered as confidential.

Stephen Walcott, Esq.,

&c. &c. &c.

B 4

I have, &c., (Signed) A. MACGREGOR.

1 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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