CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
243
222
EMIGRATION OF CHINESE LABOURERS TO
THE WEST INDIES.
No. 1.
Copy of a LETTER from NEILL MALCOLM, Esq., to Lord STANLEY.
West India Committee Rooms, No. 60, St. James's-street, July 11, 1843.
My Lord,
As Chairman of the Acting Committee of the West India Body, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a Memorial which they have unanimously agreed to this day; and I am further instructed by the meeting to request that your Lordship would be pleased to appoint a time to receive a deputation on the subject.
I have, &c.
The Right Hon. Lord Stanley,
&c.
&c. &c.
(Signed)
NEILL MALCOLM.
Enclosure in No. 1.
To the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, &c. &c. &c.
The MEMORIAL of the Standing Committee of West India Planters and Merchants.
Showeth,
THAT your Memorialists submit they are justly entitled to hire free labourers wherever they may be found, and especially in all parts of the British dominions.
That every limitation of this right is injurious not only to them but also to those who would be willing to enter into their employment; and at the same time affords direct encouragement to the continuance of the Slave Trade, by enhancing the cost, and diminishing the extent, of production in the West India Colonies of those commodities which are in other tropical countries cultivated by slaves.
That although it appears from the Report made to the House of Commons last Session by the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the settlements on the West Coast of Africa, that "emigration to a great extent might take place from Sierra Leone with advantage to that colony," yet many circumstances conspire to render it extremely doubtful whether a considerable supply of labour can be obtained from that source so speedily as the urgent wants of the West India Colonies demand.
All parties having any interest in upholding the existing establishments, or in preventing the partial removal of the population, whereby the rate of wages might be raised, are naturally averse to emigration; and, though the plan recently adopted for conducting it under the superintendence of Her Majesty's Government, is calculated, if efficiently carried out, to realize the double advantage of improving the condition of the people of Sierra Leone, and affording valuable aid to the West India Colonies, it must be expected to encounter, as it does, great practical opposition.
It is probable that a long continued and active intercourse must take place, and consequently much time elapse, before a knowledge of the great benefits to be derived from emigration shall be generally diffused and credited among them.
Unnecessary restrictions are also still imposed upon the free agency of the liberated slaves, as well as upon the influx of people from the adjacent countries which cannot fail to operate against the success of the measure.
The liberated captives are required to observe forms (accompanied by the payment of fees), which would be obstructive even to an intelligent peasant in this country, and the local authorities on whom they depend have an indirect interest in dissuading them.
No African is allowed to embark at Sierra Leone without having previously resided there for six weeks, a restriction which, in the circumstances of that place, is tantamount to prohibition, as it implies the necessity of his bringing with him the means of subsisting in idleness for at least that period, it being notorious that he cannot there procure any employment.
If it be alleged that the intending emigrant may have escaped from slavery it cannot be denied that he is entitled to perfect freedom the moment he enters within the British territory.
Instead of being restrained from securing his newly acquired privileges, he ought to receive aid and encouragement.
Even if all these obstructions were removed, and facilities were extended to the other British settlements on the West Coast of Africa, your Memorialists would still have to contend with the natural reluctance which everywhere prevails, as well as the prejudice created by the Slave Trade, against emigration.
But
2
CHINESE LABOURERS.
No. 1.
Encl. in No. I.
Cou
CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
243
222
}
EMIGRATION OF CHINESE LABOURERS TO
THE WEST INDIES.
No. 1.
Cory of a LETTER from NEILL MALCOLM, Esq., to Lord STANLEY.
West India Committee Rooms, No. 60, St. James's-street, July 11, 1843.
My Lord,
As Chairman of the Acting Committee of the West India Body, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a Memorial which they have unanimously agreed to this day; and I am further instructed by the meeting to request that your Lordship would be pleased to appoint a time to receive a deputation on the subject.
I have, &c.
The Right Hon. Lord Stanley,
&c.
&c. &c.
(Signed)
NEILL MALCOLM.
Enclosure in No. 1.
To the Right Honourable Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, &c. &c. &c.
The MEMORIAL of the Standing Committee of West India Planters and Merchants. Showeth,
THAT your Memorialists submit they are justly entitled to hire free labourers wherever they may be found, and especially in all parts of the British dominions.
That every limitation of this right is injurious not only to them but also to those who would be willing to enter into their employment; and at the same time affords direct encourage- ment to the continuance of the Slave Trade, by enhancing the cost, and diminishing the extent, of production in the West India Colonies of those commodities which are in other tropical countries cultivated by slaves.
That although it appears from the Report made to the House of Commons last Session by the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the settlements on the West Coast of Africa, that" emigration to a great extent might take place from Sierra Leone with advantage to that colony," yet many circumstances conspire to render it extremely doubtful whether a considerable supply of labour can be obtained from that source so speedily as the urgent wants of the West India Colonies demand. All parties having any interest in upholding the existing establishments, or in preventing the partial removal of the population, whereby the rate of wages might be raised, are naturally averse to emigration; and, though the plan recently adopted for conducting it under the superintendence of Her Majesty's Government, is calcu lated, if efficiently carried out, to realize the double advantage of improving the condition of the people of Sierra Leone, and affording valuable aid to the West India Colonies, it must be expected to encounter, as it does, great practical opposition. It is probable that a long con tinued and active intercourse must take place, and consequently much time elapse, before a knowledge of the great benefits to be derived from emigration shall be generally diffused and credited among them. Unnecessary restrictions are also still imposed upon the free agency of the liberated slaves, as well as upon the influx of people from the adjacent countries which cannot fail to operate against the success of the measure. The liberated captives are required to observe forms (accompanied by the payment of fees), which would be obstructive even to an intelligent peasant in this country, and the local authorities on whom they depend have an indirect interest in dissuading them. No African is allowed to embark at Sierra Leone without having previously resided there for six weeks, a restriction which, in the circumstances of that place, is tantamount to prohibition, as it implies the necessity of his bringing with him the means of subsisting in idleness for at least that period, it being notorious that he cannot there procure any employment. If it be alleged that the intending emigrant may have escaped from slavery it cannot be denied that he is entitled to perfect freedom the moment he enters within the British territory. Instead of being restrained from securing his newly acquired privileges, he ought to receive aid and encouragement. Even if all these obstructions were removed, and facilities were extended to the other British settlements on the West Coast of Africa, your Memorialists would still have to contend with the natural reluctance which every- where prevails, as well as the prejudice created by the Slave Trade, against emigration. But
2 K 2
CHINESE LABOURERS.
No. 1.
Encl. in No. I.
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