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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO

different places to which men had already emigrated. I may mention Batavia, Bali, Lomboc, Penang, Singapoore, and San Francisco.

At present their emigration cannot be conducted through resident agents or Chinese brokers, because no one would thus render himself liable to a penalty which might be enforced by a mandarin.

I am well assured, that a number of girls and young women, say 600, can be voluntarily engaged at once from either of the Chinese ports of Fou Tchon, Chin Chew, Amoy, Namo, or Whampoa, to proceed to the West Indies to join the emigrants already here.

It will, however, require a person well versed in the peculiarities of the people to proceed in the vessel which is to convey them, to have absolute charge of said vessel, that he may conduct his arrangements successfully and satisfactorily.

The coast line of China is so densely inhabited that infanticide has been universally resorted to for the purpose of preventing a superabuudant population. Emigration, how- ever, will soon render this practice obsolete.

The Chinese women of the lower classes, being but little better than slaves at home, are not averse to emigration where the vigilance of the mandarins may be avoided, especially to places under the English Government.

The classes of women who would emigrate are those accustomed to manual labour, such as gardeners and boat women (the most numerous), washerwomen, fishermen's daughters, and the various artizans of the country, as tailoresses, pastry cooks, embroiderers, and those engaged in menial occupations in the houses of wealthy natives.

All these have full grown and undeformed feet, are strong and well formed, and would be very useful on a plantation, independently of rendering the male labourers steady and permanent settlers.

The advantages that would arise from the importation of Chinese females into this colony would, independently of labour they might perform, amply repay the expense in obtaining them.

Better classes of Chinese would emigrate, and those already here would form matrimo nial connexions at once; thus becoming, at the expiration of their term of servitude, steady and industrious settlers.

Without some arrangement of this kind is adopted, I fear that constant disturbances will arise between the Chinese and the people of other countries already here, because an universal hatred seems to exist between them and the black people of India and Africa; also, that upon the expiration of the period of their servitude they will become, as in-their own country, lawless and violent vagabonds.

Enclosed is a circular of our house in Bombay, which, in the absence of a card, I send you. At all times, until my departure for the United States, which will now be soon, Í shall be most happy to give you any information in my power regarding the subject of this communication; and, should it be determined to import Chinese females into this colony, I will undertake, in the name of our firm (Edward Ely and Cv.), upon suitable conditions, to accomplish it satisfactorily.

His Excellency Henry Barkly, Esq.,

Governor of British Guiana.

Enclosure 6 in No. 38.

1 am, &c (Signed)

EDWARD ELY.

Demerara, March 21, 1853.

I HEREBY offer and agree, for and in the name of the mercantile house of " Edward Ely & Co.," in Bombay, to regularly place at the disposal of the Hon, the Land and Emigration Commissioners, or their agents, in any of the ports of China, as many first class (at Lloyds) well ventilated and fast sailing ships, of not less than 800 tohs registered tonnage, comfortably fitted up for passengers, and provided with a competent English surgeon, as will be required by the emigration agents to embark all the Chinese emigrants destined for the British West Indies, during a period of six years, or less, from this date, without detention, disappointment, or difficulty.

I will further agree, as above, that each ship thus destined for the West India voyage shall be well supplied and found in the following particulars, before such time as she tuny be required to embark her emigrants, viz. :—

Between the 20th day of March, and the 1st day of November,

5 months water, at the rate of 1 gallon per diet, for every adult carried by

the ship.

1,000 bags sound rice.

450 baskets sound salt fish.

EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.

2 piculs black pepper.

12 Chinese garlic.

"}

ewt. salt-water soap.

5 i,

Halt

50 tons firewood,

100 mess kids, and plates, &c.

1,000 plates, basins, trays, and scoops.

1,000 sleeping mats, and pillows.

1,000 packs playing cards

Musical instruments, gongs, &c. Cooking utensils, combs, razors.

119

An ample stock of suitable medicines and medical comforts, instruments, and

utensils.

Wine, brandy, opium, &c.

As great, a quantity of fresh provisions as will keep till consumed, &c., &c, áte. Between the 1st day of November, and the 20th day of March,

Four months water at the before-mentioned rate.

All other provisions and necessary articles same quantity as before mentioned.

I further agree, that the emigrant passengers shall be carried as speedily as possible, after their embarkation, to the port of their destination, touching at no place on the voyage, unless, from some accident, it be necessary for the health, comfort, or safety of those on board, and that the arrival of the ship shall be immediately reported to the proper authorities at that port.

The consideration asked for the full performance of the stipulations of this offer, is 201., (twenty pounds sterling money), per caput, for each emigrant of the age of 1 years and upwards, landed alive; the same to be payable to an authorized agent of our firm, within thirty days after the landing of the emigrants. Thirty days shall be allowed to expire as lay-days after the statel time the ship arrives at her port in China, as per order of the emigration agent, prepared in all respects to receive her passengers and proceed to sea; after which time a demurrage of sixpence (6d.) per registered ton per diem shall be paid for every day of detention. "Ten days shall be allowed as lay-days in the West Indies, after the notified arrival of the ship, for the disembarkation of the passengers, after which a demurrage of sixpence (6d.) per registered ton per diem shall be paid for every day the emigrants are continued on board.

Address Edward Ely and Co.," Bombay.

S. Walcott, Esq.,

Sec. Land and Emigration Commissioners.

I am, Sir, &c.

(Signed) EDWARD ELY. For Edward Ely and Co., Bombay.

SIR,

Georgetown, Demerara, March 21, 1853. BEING quite uncertain, by whom, and in what manner, shipping will hereafter be employed for the conveyance of emigrants from China to the West Indies, I hereby, according to your Excellency's kind permission, intrust to your care a tender to the Hon. the Land and Emigration Commissioners, that in case a regular contract with them he required, I shall have at least the opportunity of a fair competition with other parties. Should my proposition meet with the approval of the Hon. Commissioners, and be accepted, I shall by that time have arrived in London, where all the necessary arrange- ments can be concluded; but should the matter have been left entirely in the hands of the emigration agent in China, I shall, nevertheless, immediately proceed to despatch a fine class of ships regularly from Bombay to China; and, as almost all our mercantile relations are at present with that country, I shall myself superintend in person the fitting out, ample finding, and good despatch of all our vessels there.

That your Excellency may be acquainted with my address, in case of a wish to com- municate, I will say that letters will reach me at "New Hope, Bucks County, Penn- sylvania," until 1st of June next; in "London," to the care of "Hon. Abbot Lawrence," American Minister, &c., &c., till 25th July, and afterwards to our address Bombay.

Retaining a deep sense of the kindness and courtesy I have experienced at your Ex- cellency's lauds during my short stay in this colony, I shall still beg the indulgence of remaining

His Excellency Henry Barkly, Esq.,

Governor of British Guiana, &c. &c.

Your Excellency's, &c.

(Signed) EDWARD ELY.

Encl. 6 in No. 38.

SIR,

300 casks salt beef or

pork.

150 tubs hard bread.

30

"

brown sugar.

10

נו

sago.

2 sulphur.

12 chests black tea

6

tobacco.

11

Enclosure 7 in No. 38.

SIB,

Immigration Agent General's Office, Georgetown, March 18, 1853.

Is addition to my report of the 6th instant, I have the honour to state that, upon inspection, I find the forecastle of the ship had been taken into consideration, and that 50 Chinese were actually berthed in that part of the ship, nasuring 26 by 34, the crew having been taken into the cuddy. I submit also copy of the clearing certificate given at Amoy,

Pi

Encl. 7 in No. 38.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

THE

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON