CO885-(1-2) — Page 390

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O.

885

1 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO

"the time, and in the pursuance of my instructions, has or can interfere with their "operations, it is your province to provide a remedy for the evil. We shall be most happy, Gentlemen, to dispose of the remainder of those whom I may find it necessary to reject, in any manner you may have the goodness to propose, other than allowing them to remain, but at the same time I suggest the propriety of not sending any more of such disgusting cases on board. In conclusion, I would beg that whatever remon- strance you may hereafter have to make to any action of mine, that you will, with common politeness, address yourself to me upon the matter, that I may the more readily satisfy you, and save Captain Hurst very needless trouble. With many thanks for "the courtesy of your letter,

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(Signed)

"I have the honour, &c.,

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EDWARD ELY, Surgeon, Samuel Boddington.'' "P.S.-In order to satisfy my employers that I have not 'taken upon myself' extended privileges, I shall have the honour to enclose them a copy of this correspondence, in " addition to the regular journal required.

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SIR,

Answer to the above.

(Signed) " EDWARD ELT."

Amoy, November 18 1852. "HAVING been favoured this morning by a communication from you, regarding the rejection of certain coolies from the Samuel Boddington,' we beg to observe in reply, that we are quite at a loss to understand why you should have thought fit to address us on a subject connected with the business of the ship, as on such matters we are always in the habit of corresponding with the inasters of the vessels. As agents for the charterers of the Samuel Boddington,' we beg to inform you that we consider ourselves entitled to select the time and place which may appear to us most convenient and fitting for the medical examination of the coolies who are to proceed in the vessel, and that we shall in due time notify you of the same, when it will be in your power to reject such men, as you may deem unfit for embarkation.

"On the style and tone of your letter it is unnecessary for us to offer any remark, and we are not disposed to object to your sending to your employers any copies of correspondence which you may deem fit; but we may mention, that we shall not con- sider it requisite to reply to any communication with which you may favour us on any subject on which we choose to correspond with Captain Hurst, with whom alone we can conduct the business of the vessel under his charge, and whem only we shall address.

Edward Ely, Surgeon' Samuel Boddington."

We remain, &c. (Signed) "TAIT & Co."

Considering that Messrs. Tait &c. were rather too forgetful that there were other interests in the world besides their own, and that they were labouring under a delusion as regarded my delegated power of rejecting, and also of my position in the ship, I have returned the following:-

• Tarr & Co.

Amoy, February 18, 1852

"YOURS of this morning is received, and I answer it only to dispel a wonderful delusion under which you seem to labour. I had not expected that in our intercourse "I should be obliged to inform you that I am not connected with the ship 'Samuel Boddington' as an ordinary articled surgeon, as you seem to infer, nor in any other

"manner.

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I am, however, bound by an agreement with the agents of Hyde, Hodge,

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EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.

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supercilious language there male use of, been rendered quite a lucid understanding. It is quite immaterial to me, therefore, whether you favour me with further correspondence or not, as you are now thoroughly aware of the nature of the case, and can take your measures accordingly. I have nothing more to say, except that in your future cor- respondence with those whom I respect, and esteem as friends, you will be pleased to avoid bringing my name in question in your legislative (1) directions; and that should you "exceed the bounds of gentlemanly conduct in any way in relation to myself, I shall "hold you individually as strictly accountable as though your acknowledged position "was higher.

" I am, &c. (Signed) "EDWARD ELT."

"Abstract" of Journal resumed.

Nov. 19th & 20th.-No more coolies; coll and rainy weather. 21st. Rainy day. At this rate I shall be obliged to reject a great many more men than I should otherwise, on account of colds and inflamination of lungs contracted for want of clothes. I have been to-day to the cooly hong of Messrs. Syne, Muir, & Co., and there I saw a number of those who escaped from Tails' boats on the 10th. Mr. Bradley, when I asked him the reason, gave no answer, only that," we pay for our coolies." It is my opinion, and that of every one else, that the escape on the 10th was a preconcerted measure among the merchants themselves. Tait & Co. have a large contract to supply a certain number of coulies to the Spanish agents in a certain time. They have employed Syme and Muir to assist them, and now that Amoy and the neighbouring country is in a state of great disturbance, so that it will be doubtful if they can fulfil their contracts, they are willing to sacrifice their honesty to other employers, to render certain the com- pletion of a more important contract. Mr. Mackay, of the firm of Tait & Co., told me this inorning, that they were afraid they should be able to get no more coolies for some weeks, and that I must not be too strict in my examination. Directly afterwards I was on board a Spanish ship, consigned to Tait, for coolies for the Havanna, and the surgeon informed une plainly, that they expected to get away in a week after our ship, and that Messrs. Tait had told them their coolics were all ready.

221-Dr. Ely receives a letter from Messrs. Thit & Co., wishing the medical ex- amination of the coolies next day. In the afternoon Mr. Mackay tells Dr. Ely that in consequence of the city and country being “much disturbed" they could get no more coolies, and that those collected must either be taken or they (Messrs. Tait) must throw up the charter.

23.-147 coolies brought alongside. Those already on board commenced heaving wood, pieces of iron bolts, belaying pins, &e, at the Europeans and coolie brokers because they had been kept so long without clothes or proper food.” As soon as we had got things a little quiet, and the coolies allowed to come on board, I commenced the examination, and out of every ten men I inspected, six were in my opinion not of the kind to make good labourers." Mr. Conolly continually told me, that they could get no more coulies; that they had enough to make up our number on board if I would not be so very strict; that I was rejecting excellent men, who only wanted a month's good provisions to regain their health; and that they should not pay for any men who might be deficient "because there were a great plenty to choose from." Dr. Ely then overhauled the whole 365 men and boys, and found only

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& Co. to remain on board said ship, select a competent cargo of emigrants from the men who may be offered me by Tait & Co. at Amoy, and to administer medical aid to those who may require it during the voyage to Denierara. Therefore the business which in your letter you are pleased to term the 'business of the ship' you will at length learn is my business, and that I being responsible only to Hyde, Hodge, & Co., and feeling myself "perfectly competent and willing to discharge my trust, I shall proceed as faithfully "possible in its execution, without giving you the trouble of dictating in what manner it shall be conductes, or of troubling Captain Hurst with our differences. Notwith- standing that you consider yourselves entitled to select the time and place which may appear to you most fitting for the medical examination of the coolies, I am compellel again to inform you, that besides a final examination, I shall continue to reject, and carefully send out of this ship, every man who is unfit, on account of disease or other "cause to remain with the healthy men on board; and as we are neither a hospital ship, nor your receiving ship, although you appear to think so, it shall be done at whatever * time I myself deem proper, and I merely reiterate that such shall be my unalterable 14 course. When you wish to know my authority for my proceedings, you can call upon "the mate of the ship, who will, no doubt, have the kindness to show you the copies of

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" my instructions from the agents of Hyde, Hodge, & Co., which I have placed in his hands for that purpose. I trust that the loss you have been at' as to why I should address

you upon the subject of your letter to Captain Hurst has now, independently of the

162 men

40 boys

Total 202 capable of embarkation.

"Mr. Conolly now in plain terms told Captain Hurst and myself we had but one ca two things to do, either take our complement out of the rejected numbers, or lose any recompense for a short shipment, as they, as agents of the charterers, considered they were quite good enough. Of course we could do nothing else than take them, and we have now on board 352 coolies, 150 of whom I had once rejected, and with whom I expect to have much trouble, and among whom I expect to have many deaths."

Then follows a complaint that proper medicines were not furnished, on the ground that they could not be had, although their own brig, the Alligator,' brought from Hong Kong, only a few days ago, several well-filled chests of medicines, intended no doubt for the ships going to Havanna without surgeons.”

Then comes a grievous complaint of the want of clothing; two suits of thin cotton clothes for each person, and a inat to sleep upon, and a single cotton shwet, to "Inst through all weathers."

Then a charge tint the Chinese clerks plundered the coolies of ten out of the eleven dollars which, by their agreement, they (the colies) were entitled to.

24th-Amoy is in a state of grent confusion and alarm." An army of armed Chinese had entered the city, killed several Europeans, &c. &e. "We have not been able to get our supplies, and are going away without them."

The disturbance, said to be caused by the coolie brokers, having enraged the community

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PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

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C.O.

Reference :-

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO

by enticing some young men to leave home and go on board the cooly ships under false pretences

25th-Sailed from Amoy. "I find. we have more than a hundred opium smokers on "board, and God only knows what is to become of them when their opium is exhausted.” "I have no interpreter. The one engaged affected his escape" in the hurry of sailing. "I have employed one of the coolies, who can speak a little English, to act as

interpreter, but he can do very little good.'

26th-Warmer weather, but still very rough. Got the people on deck with much difficulty.

27th.-Fine weather. No attempts at cooking yet. "To the few who want anything to eat we give biscuit; no cases requiring medicine."

28th--Sunday. Two men fighting; one of them confined on the poop. Many cases of indolent ulcers and scabies.

29th. People arranged into messes of ten men each. An opium smoker attacked with delirium tremens, in consequence of his stock being exhausted;

30th. And died next day.

Dec. 1.-Warm and squally. Most of the people appear to have been impoverished. Many of them now affected with fevers, diarrhoeas, and diseases of the skin.

5th.-A desperate fight about a theft of some opium. In the afternoon the man who has been in irons broke the lock and escaped below. He was soon re-ironed. "We "should not be so rigid with him, but he has been threatening to kill the one with whom "he fought, jump overboard, &c.”

7th. Made the

Islands. One case of bilious fever and five cases of diarrhea constitute the sick list. Fine weather and smooth sea. Coolies 7" almost constantly fighting furiously among themselves, and so reckless and savage, they use any weapon they can seize.”

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Then come suspicions of a meeting. A search was made for weapons, and there were found secreted in their bags "five heavy iron scrapers, two belaying pins, and billets of

firewood, besides other articles which they had picked up about the decks and secreted "in their bags, and on the ledges of the beams."

8th...

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"The appearance of things on board is assuming rather a serious aspect. "Last evening at 8 o'clock one of the young men, of rather better stamp than the others, "came to me and endeavoured to make me understand something very earnestly. From the few Chinese words I understand and, from his motions, I learned that the boy Jim was a bad man, and that he had plenty more men that were going to kill me, and "everybody else, and then run the ship ashore on some of these islands. All day to-day "Jim has not come aft as usual, and has been with the gang I spoke of yesterday in " earnest conference."

"We are all convinced that the coolies meditate taking "the ship, but we can do nothing now but go well armted constantly.”

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9th.--Coolies? mostly looking better. Almost calm day, thermometer 86°. Large tubs of water placed on deck, in which the people bathe very generally. "I am well convinced, from the actions of all hands, that a large party of coolies are only awaiting an oppor- tunity of taking the ship."

10 PM. This afternoon the boy Jini asked the serang if he and his Lascars would remain neutral if the coolies (7) were to rise upon the "officers and European crew." And this said Jim promises several boxes of dollars on hoard to the Lascars if they would take the ship luck to Amoy!! or run her ashore. The ship's cook luas then a tale of persecution to disclose because "HE would not hand "them out the knives belonging to the galley," "All hands are on deck. The fore braces

are led aft upon the poop, and no one need go off except one or two to work ship

We would endeavour to get everybody below and put the hatches on, but it is so hot that they would suffocate. We are all prepared in a moment to meet any outbreak that may occur."

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10th-"We have had an ugly day. During all last night, instead of the usual noise and the various lights, nothing could be heard but a suppressed whispering about the decks, and not a light was burned. We hung lanthorns over the front of the poop, so that they lit up the main deck, leaving us in darkness Everything remained quiet till about four in the morning, when one of the men reported a light close under the lee bow.

We looked over the bows about a minute and mile the light to proceed from a Malay prow, when, upon turning round, we saw the whole port side of the main deck full of men armed with wood, eook's choppers, and other things. We "ran to the other side which was clear, and before any one could come round the galley, long boat, &c., we had reached the poop deck." Why it is they did not rise," I cannot tell," but "after looking at the prow and at ourselves, they went below and under the "forecastle."

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"We passed Gaspar İsland.” Coolies down below holding an earnest conversation. To inquiries they reply "pil-long," point to the land, and make "me understand exactly what I knew, that those on deck were watching an opportunity to murder us, and run ashore." Then comes a story of Jim's about a threatened mutiny and butchery. "To-night we were to have been butchered, at the time I was making my regular round below, by first killing me below, and then rushing upon the pup with whatever they could lay their hands upon, and by the force of numbers overpower the crew. They then intended to run the ship ashore on one of these islands, which they supposed to be China, rob her

" and burn her." "off Puls

"clewed up."

EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.

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"This afternoon, drifted within a mile of the reefs and rocks The anchor was let go immediately in 19 fathoms and the sail Then comes a narrative of every man, i.e. sailor, being armed and stationed upon the poop.

Mr. Easthorn and the doctor, with half a dozen Lascars, went forward with concealed weapons to the forecastle, and "as usual" they found the two men deep in a "serious discussion. Presenting pistols at the head of each one we suddenly seized them, and in spite of the desperate resistance of one of them, dragged them upon the poop. "The affair was so quickly and silently done that they had no idea of anything of the "kind till it was over, and their surrounding companions seemed so taken by surprise

that they offered no remonstrance or resistance."

Then comes an account of their being placed in irons, and accusing Jim of "starting the plot." Jim seems "very much confused," but as nothing is to be gained by punishing him, they are tacticians enough "never to let him know but what they think him entirely innocent."

Next comes a lecture "about the good country where they were going to, where they ✦ would be used well, and not made to work hard," &c. &c. "And also that if dia- "turbance was made on board, we should not do as we had now done, and risk our own

any lives to save theirs, but we should shoot down the actors without mercy. Every one expressed his satisfaction," &c. &c.

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Doubts, however, are still recorded. "The greater part we have on board are quite savage, many of them never having seen a European before coming to Amoy to go away, and having as little idea of right and wrong as the WANDERING SAVAGES OF THE " WILDERNESSES OF AMERICA. They are fierce, cunning, ill-natured, revengeful, apl hypocritical, and we have far more to do to keep anything like order among them than if they were so many monkeys.'

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January 1, 1853-"This morning we found one man dead on the lower deck." Cause of death "supposed to be apoplexy.'

Here also (p. 42) is entered a difference of opinion between the captain and surgeon as

to the duties of the Intter.

2d.-Sick list contains 37 patients:

3d. This day 30 patients.

4th.-27 patients and two deaths, one from diarrhea and the other from hamnorrlage

from the bowels; this latter "enused, I believe, from unnatural intercourse."

5th.-Another death from hæmorrhage.

6th.-30 cases of sickness, and one death from diarrhoea, 7th.-34 cases of sickness, and one death as above,

8th.-33 on the sick list.

9th.-35 cases.

10th-35 cases. 11th-31 cases.

Lat. 25° S. long. 56° E. 28 of the cases are diarrhea.

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One death from peritonitis.

12th.-"Case of intermittent fever, DEAD" (No. 11); also one opium smoker (diarrhea, (No. 12.)

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13th. No new cases,

14th."Two cases of diarrha-an died (Nos. 13 and 14). One man endeavoured to throw himself overboard, but was caught by a Lascar."

15th.-"Captain Hurst has thought that emetics would have a good effect upon some

of the cases........ Yesterday I gave a man an emetic, which he picked out as a suitable case, and he died this morning (No. 15),"

"We mustered, and counted everybody to-day, und find we have but 333 inen on board.

15 have died, and the other four have at different times jumped into the sen when we

have not seen them.” J......... "My interpreter says that the men have jumped over- board because they did not want to go away from Amoy.”,

16th. Two deaths from diarrhea (Nos. 16 and 17).

17th, 18th, and 19th- Going on much the same; no new cases. Made Ram Head and Brazen Head on coast of Africa, four pan., 19th."

20th. One death from heart disease (No. 18).

21st.-"One case of diarrhoea and prostration, which has resisted all remedies, and

who seemed determined to die, and who was only prevented from drowning himself by being unable to get over the side," died this evening (No. 19).

22d.-Heavy head sen. "One man broke his arm going down the ladder to tine lower

.. deck. One case of inflammation of lungs lied to-day, caused by his persisting in lying

on the wet deck without clothes (No. 20)."

23d.

Fine weather. Thermometer, 72",

24th.-('ase of diarrhea and partial insanity died (No. 21). 25th.-Thermometer, 682. Coolies () suffering from cold. 26th-31 on the sick list.

* 27th.-Passed the " Cape of Giand Hope." 35 on the sick list.

28th.

A boy died of worms (No. 22).

29th.-31 on the sick list. A case of diarrhcon died (No. 23). For an unnatural crime

a man and a boy received two dozen lashes, besides being well pitched.

30th and 31st.-No alteration in the sick list.

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