CHINESE LABOURERS.
266
PAPERS RELATIVE TO EMIGRATION OF
fraud is practised on the latter, or that they are wilfully deceived as to the distance and circumstances of the countries they are going to, or not truly informed of the purport and effect of their contracts, the magistrate will withhold his attestation to the contracts, and the departure of the people will not be approved.
Explanatory Remarks.
Such being the conditions on which the Government is willing that parties who may desire it should enter on the undertaking of procuring a supply of Chinese emigrants, it is necessary to remark that the complete fulfilment of the scheme is subject to two contingencies, which cannot be determined by executive authority.
First, by the existing law of British Guiana and Trinidad, and probably by the next Immigration Act in Jamaica, contracts with labourers, made beyond the limits of each colony, will not be binding. The Government undertakes to recommend such a modification of this law as is necessary for the purposes of the present plan, but the result, of course, must rest entirely with the respective legislatures.
Secondly, the payment of bounty must depend on the existence of sufficient funds lawfully appropriated to the purpose. On this subject the present state of the facts is as follows: In Trinidad a permanent grant of £14,000 per annum has been made for general purposes of immigration. In Jamaica a sum of £30,000 has been placed at the disposal of Government for such purposes for the present year; the provision to be made next year will depend on the Legislature. In British Guiana no more than 30,000 dollars has been appropriated to general purposes of immigration for the year ending 1st July, 1844; but there has been remitted to trustees in England a separate sum of 100,000 dollars applicable to African emigration, of which a comparatively small portion will be found to be wanted for that object.
Without implying any doubt of the liberality of the respective legislatures, or of their favourable disposition towards immigration, the object of these remarks is merely to distinguish that which the Government can positively undertake, from that on which it is not competent to offer a pledge, but can only leave parties to exercise their own judgment.
MEMORANDUM On Superintending the preparations for the Passage of Chinese Emigrants to the West Indies.
1. The officer charged with this duty should bear in mind that the number of passengers admissible, is limited by the size of the deck on which they live, as well as by the tonnage; and that on a voyage of the computed length of that to the West Indies, the whole number of passengers is not to exceed the proportion of one adult for every 15 superficial feet of the deck.
2. There should be a proper cooking apparatus, and a reasonable supply of mess utensils, whether belonging to the passengers, or provided for them, suitable to the habits of the people.
3. The quality of the water is one of the most important circumstances to the health of the passengers. It should be laid in of the purest description that can be obtained, and great attention should be paid to the sweetness and sufficient strength of the casks in which it is carried. If new they should be charred. The casks should be constructed of staves of at least one inch in thickness for the ground tier, and of not less than three-quarters of an inch for the remainder.
4. The due quantity and quality of the provisions should be carefully ascertained, as well as the supply of the medicines and any medical comforts that may be required by the orders of the local authorities.
5. The presence of a duly qualified surgeon is of course one of the most important circumstances to be attended to; and it would seem desirable that he should examine the emigrants on embarkation, to see that they have no infectious disorder of a dangerous character.
6. The officer will not overlook the particulars provided for in the 5th, 6th, and 7th of the rules published on the present subject, by the Commissioners of Colonial Land and Emigration.
7. The ship should be seen to be properly manned.
8. The condition of the boats required under the 13th clause of the "Passengers Act," should be particularly looked to.
9. The decks should not be allowed to be lumbered, but required to be kept duly clear for the working of the ship, and the exercise of the people. All provisions are to be stowed under hatches, and only sufficient water for immediate use, to be allowed on deck.
10. The superintending officer will require to be satisfied on these several points, together with all other requirements of the Passengers' Act, applicable to the subject, before he grants his final certificate of approval.
FORM of Certificate of Approval.
Ship
Date,
Tons
Size of deck
I hereby certify that
184
superficial feet.
emigrants are proceeding in this vessel, and that she appears to me in every respect sound, seaworthy, and properly manned, and not stowed in any objectionable manner; and provided with all things requisite for the sustenance, health, and necessary comfort of the above-mentioned number of emigrants during the voyage.
(Signed)
CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
267
No. 17.
COPY of a LETTER from CHARLES CAVE, Esq., to Lord STANLEY.
West India Committee Rooms, 12, Old Jewry,
19th October, 1843,
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the letters which Mr. Stephen, by direction of your Lordship, addressed to Mr. Hankey on the 3rd instant, and to Mr. Malcolm on the 7th instant, concerning the arrangement relative to Chinese labourers, proposed in the previous communication made by Mr. Hope to Mr. Malcolm on the 4th ultimo. And, having now had an opportunity of bringing the last-mentioned letter under the consideration of this Committee, I beg leave to advert to the other important subjects to which it refers.
I need hardly assure your Lordship that the West India body most fully appreciate the interest you are pleased to manifest in their behalf; and that as they can have no motive, so they have as little desire, to urge unnecessary claims upon your attention. They have been impelled, by the distressing circumstances in which they are placed, to represent their actual position to your Lordship; and, as it not only remains unimproved, but becomes aggravated by the continued absence of all definite prospect of amendment, they hope to be excused if they should appear to be importunate in again soliciting the relief which they conceive it is in the power of Her Majesty's Government to afford.
While the melancholy truth of their statements cannot be questioned, they regret to observe it is alleged that they do not sufficiently regard either the facilities which have been already granted for introducing labourers into the West India Colonies, or the difficulties opposed to a further advance in the same direction. These allegations have induced this Committee to reconsider attentively the measures connected with immigration which have been adopted by Her Majesty's Government since the period of final emancipation; and, as a brief review of them may perhaps lead to a better understanding of their nature, or at least exhibit to your Lordship the estimate formed of them by this Committee, I beg you will now permit me to refer to them in succession.
The first measure I have to notice is the Order in Council, dated 7th September, 1838, promulgated a few weeks after that event, which, being directly applicable to the Crown Colonies only, was also transmitted in a Circular Despatch to the Governors of the Colonies having Legislative Assemblies, "to serve as a guide to them in giving or withholding their assent to any laws which might be tendered for their acceptance." By it all "contracts of service" were prohibited with any persons, except those who were already settled in the Colonies; and consequently all immigration was likewise prohibited, inasmuch as labourers could not remove from distant countries at their own charge, and proprietors could not undertake the expense of conveying them without having some assurance of their service. As there could be no doubt that a very considerable number of the emancipated slaves would withdraw, wholly or partially, from the cultivation in which they had been engaged, and that it could not possibly be sustained without the introduction of other labourers, this Order in Council, by conferring exclusive employment on those who were disposed to work for wages, was tantamount to a transfer in their favour of the produce of the estates. Such has been almost universally its effect, except in the more populous islands. The abject dependence to which the proprietors were thus reduced, has already ruined numerous families who formerly enjoyed affluence; many others still struggle, though with little hope, to retain possession of estates from which they had long been accustomed to derive ample incomes; and from those who are able to make the sacrifice, a large outlay has been annually exacted to prevent their lands from becoming waste, and their fixed capital useless.
The next measure touching contracts which this Committee find on record is an Order in Council, dated 9th December, 1841, abrogating the preceding one in so far as it affected contracts made in Europe; so that the people of this country were no longer prohibited, as they had been during the two years previously, from entering into such engagements as they might deem advantageous.
A further modification was made by an Order in Council, dated 4th January, 1843, granting permission to make agreements with the free people of North America; but it is still ineffective, in consequence of the officers it requires to be appointed for its execution not having been yet nominated.
Her Majesty's Government likewise declared, by an Order in Council, dated
2 N 2
CHINESE LABOURERS.
No. 17.
234
CHINESE LABOURERS.
266
PAPERS RELATIVE TO EMIGRATION OF
fraud is practised on the latter, or that they are wilfully deceived as to the distance and eir- cumstances of the countries they are going to, or not truly informed of the purport and effect of their contracts, the magistrate will withhold his attestation to the contracts, and the departure of the people will not be approved.
Explanatory Remarks,
Such being the conditions on which the Government is willing that parties who may desire it should enter on the undertaking of procuring a supply of Chinese emigrants, it is necessary to remark that the complete fulfilment of the scheme is subject to two contingencies, which cannot be determined by executive authority.
First, by the existing law of British Guiana and Trinidad, and probably by the next Immi- gration Act in Jamaica, contracts with labourers, made beyond the limits of each colony, will not be binding, The Government undertakes to recommend such a modification of this law as is necessary for the purposes of the present plan, but the result, of course, must rest entirely with the respective legislatures.
Secondly, the payinent of bounty must depend on the existence of sufficient funds lawfully appropriated to the purpose. On this subject the present state of the facts is as follows: In Trinidad a permanent grant of 14,000 per annum has been made for general purposes of immigration. In Jamaica a sum of 30,000% has been placed at the disposal of Government for such purposes for the present year; the provision to be made next year will depend on the Legislature. In British Guiana no more than 30,000 dollars has been appropriated to general purposes of immigration for the year ending 1st July, 1844; but there has been remitted to trustees in England a separate sum of 100,000 dollars applicable to African emigration, of which a comparatively small portion will be found to be wanted for that object.
Without implying any doubt of the liberality of the respective legislatures, or of their favour- able disposition towards immigration, the object of these remarks is merely to distinguish that which the Government can positively undertake, from that on which it is not competent to offer a pledge, bat can only leave parties to exercise their own judgment.
MEMORANDUM On Superintending the preparations for the Passage of Chinese Emigrants to the West Indies.
1. The officer charged with this duty should bear in mind that the number of passengers admissible, is limited by the size of the deck on which they live, as well as by the tonnage; and that on a voyage of the computed length of that to the West Indies, the whole number of passengers is not to exceed the proportion of one adult for every 15 superficial feet of the deck. 2. There should be a proper cooking apparatus, and a reasonable supply of mess utensils, whether belonging to the passengers, or provided for them, suitable to the habits of the people.
3. The quality of the water is one of the most important circumstances to the health of the passengers. It should be laid in of the purest description that can be obtained, and great attention should be paid to the sweetness and sufficient strength of the casks in which it is carried. If new they should be charred. The casks should be constructed of staves of at least one inch in thickness for the ground tier, and of not less than three-quarters of an inch for the remainder.
4. The due quantity and quality of the provisions should be carefully ascertained, as well as the supply of the medicines and any medical comforts that may be required by the orders of the local authorities.
5. The presence of a duly qualified surgeon is of course one of the most important circum- stances to be attended to; and it would seem desirable that he should examine the emigrants on embarkation, to see that they have no infectious disorder of a dangerous character.
6. The officer will not overlook the particulars provided for in the 5th, 6th, and 7th of the rules published on the present subject, by the Commissioners of Colonial Land and Emi- gration.
7. The ship should be seen to be properly mammed.
8. The condition of the boats required under the 13th clause of the "Passengers Act,” should be particularly looked to.
9. The decks should not be allowed to be lumbered, but required to be kept duly clear for the working of the ship, and the exercise of the people. All provisions are to be stowed under hatches, and only sufficient water for immediate use, to be allowed on deck.
10. The superintending officer will require to be satisfied on these several points, together with all other requirements of the Passengers' Act, applicable to the subject, before he grants his final certificate of approval.
FORM of Certificate of Approval.
Ship
Date,
Tons
Size of deck
I hereby certify that
184
superficial feet.
emigrants are proceeding in this vessel, and that she appears to me in every respect sound, seaworthy, and properly manned, and not stowed in any objec- tionable manner; and provided with all things requisite for the sustenance, health, and "ne- cessary comfort of the above-mentioned number of emigrants during the voyage.
(Signed)
CHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES.
267
No. 17.
COPY of a LETTER from CHARLES CAVE, Esq., to Lord STANLEY.
West India Committee Rooms, 12, Old Jewry,
19th October, 1843,
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the letters which Mr. Stephen, by direction of your Lordship, addressed to Mr. Hankey on the 3rd instant, and to Mr. Malcolm on the 7th instant, concerning the arrangement rela- tive to Chinese labourers, proposed in the previous communication made by Mr. Hope to Mr. Malcolm on the 4th ultimo. And, having now had an opportunity of bringing the last-mentioned letter under the consideration of this Committee, I beg leave to advert to the other important subjects to which it refers.
appear
trust I need hardly assure your Lordship that the West India body most fully appreciate the interest you are pleased to manifest in their behalf; and that as they can have no motive, so they have as little desire, to urge unnecessary claims upon your attention. They have been impelled, by the distressing circumstances in which they are placed, to represent their actual position to your Lordship; and, as it not only remains unimproved, but becomes aggravated by the continued absence of all definite prospect of amendment, they hope to be excused if they should to be importunate in again soliciting the relief which they conceive it is in the power of Her Majesty's Government to afford. While the melancholy truth of their statements cannot be questioned, they regret to observe it is alleged that they do not sufficiently regard either the facilities which have been already granted for introducing labourers into the West India Colonies, or the difficulties opposed to a further advance in the same direction. These allegations have induced this Com- mittee to reconsider attentively the measures connected with immigration which have been adopted by Her Majesty's Government since the period of final emanci- pation; and, as a brief review of them may perhaps lead to a better understanding of their nature, or at least exhibit to your Lordship the estimate formed of them by this Committee, I beg you will now permit me to refer to them in succession.
The first measure I have to notice is the Order in Council, dated 7th September, 1838, promulgated a few weeks after that event, which, being directly applicable to the Crown Colonies only, was also transmitted in a Circular Despatch to the Governors of the Colonies having Legislative Assemblies, "to serve as a guide to them in giving or withholding their assent to any laws which might be tendered for their acceptance." By it all "contracts of service" were prohibited with any persons, except those who were already settled in the Colonies; and consequently all immigration was likewise prohibited, inasmuch as labourers could not remove from distant countries at their own charge, and proprietors could not undertake the expense of conveying them without having some assurance of their service. As there could be no doubt that a very considerable number of the emancipated slaves would withdraw, wholly or partially, from the cultivation in which they had been engaged, and that it could not possibly be sustained without the introduction of other labourers, this Order in Council, by conferring exclusive employment on those who were disposed to work for wages, was tantamount to a transfer in their favour of the produce of the estates. Such has been almost universally its effect, except in the more populous islands. The abject dependence to which the pro- prietors were thus reduced, has already ruined numerous families who formerly enjoyed affluence; many others still struggle, though with little hope, to retain pos- session of estates from which they had long been accustomed to derive ample incomes; and from those who are able to make the sacrifice, a large outlay has been annually exacted to prevent their lands from becoming waste, and their fixed capital useless.
The next measure touching contracts which this Committee find on record is an Order in Council, dated 9th December, 1841, abrogating the preceding one in so far as it affected contracts made in Europe; so that the people of this country were no longer prohibited, as they had been during the two years previously, from en- tering into such engagements as they might deem advantageous.
A further modification was made by an Order in Council, dated 4th January, 1843, granting permission to make agreements with the free people of North America; but it is still ineffective, in consequence of the officers it requires to be appointed for its execution not having been yet nominated.
Her Majesty's Government likewise declared, by an Order in Council, dated
2 N 2
CHINESE' LABOURERS.
No. 17.
234
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.