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5. Mr. Creagh gave me to understand, in a personal interview, that he anticipated no difficulty in getting men on his own terms, if only the Government would allow him to try.
6. As I believe that it is decidedly most advantageous to utilize in other colonies, the services of such of our people as are able and willing to serve there, and thus release our Europeans from such duties, I strongly recommend that the request of the Hong-Kong authorities receive every possible support; provided always that such terms are fixed as shall be to the fair benefit of our people, and shall so far as we can judge be practically possible, and not likely to break down. The points which I consider should be fixed with the con- currence of the Indian Government are as follows :-
I. Period for which enlisted.
Mr. Creagh proposes (5) five years, and offers three months pay as compensation to a man, if discharged without fault before that period. Now as I understand that a passage "between decks" from Calcutta to China is Rs. 150 = five months pay, I think that the compensation given should certainly not be less than six mouths of the grade of Rs. 30 or 180. Under this head I would add the following:
If a man chooses to re-enlist for another five years, making ten years in all, then he shall be entitled to a free passage back to Calcutta at the expiration of the additional fie
years.
there
II. Rate of pay.
Whatever rates be agreed upon, they should be distinctly specified in dollars, so that may be no future misunderstanding. The dollar to be the coin by which the pay is calcu- lated from the date of embarkation. Under this head it should be distinctly specified whether the is to include cost of clothing, or whether that will be provided extra.
pay
III. Accommodation.
The men should be guaranteed good protection from wind and weather, rent-free.
IV. Family remittances, reports of deaths, dismissals &c.
It is most desirable that the men leaving us for China should feel sure and certain that their remittances and letters will reach their families, and all news as regards deaths or dismissals.
To effect this, as I am anxious the project should have every chance of succeeding, I suggest that this office be the channel of communication between the Sikhs and their families; every care will be taken that their remittances and letters are quickly sent to the parties concerned.
To carry this out completely it is necessary that Mr. Creagh supplies this office with a complete roll of each man, giving name, residence, next of kin &c., and all points necessary for this important part to be carried out thoroughly. I also suggest that my office be the channel for receiving and sending communications to the Sikhs in China. If they feel that they do readily and quickly and certainly communicate with their homes, they will serve in China all the more willingly.
V. Recruits for the Sikh police in China.
I suggest that with the sanction of this Government I be empowered to communicate
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with the Hong-Kong authorities, and keep up the supply on the same terms as may now be sanctioned by the Government of India.
VI. It seems to me very desirable that when Mr. Creagh has secured the services of a recruit, the engagement between Mr. Creagh and the recruit shall be ratified either before the Inspector General who is a Magistrate, or before such authority as His Honor may direct. It being the duty of the Government official to see that the recruit thoroughly understands the terms agreed to a separate engagement to be drawn out between each recruit and Mr. Creagh.
VII. All men who leave the Punjab police for this service, to be informed that they at once forfeit all benefit from previous service under this Government, and must look only to the authorities in China for advancement &c.
7. Such is a rough sketch of what seems to me needed. I trust His Honor may be pleased to recommend strongly that the experiment may be sanctioned. I see the greatest possible advantage to the Empire in employing in other colonies, men who are aliens like ourselves to the population, and whose fidelity may therefore be relied on.
The services of Europeans in subordinate positions might thereby be greatly dispensed with, and much advantage accrue to the State that sends, and the State that receives the men. Certainly, in the Punjab there is a strong feeling in favor of service in China. No doubt much of this arises from the success of our arms, and the plunder obtained by our native troops, but it is useful as shewing that if the advantages are clear, some of our people are quite willing to go on foreign service.
I believe the police service in China would be very similar to that of our late military police, a kind of service for which we can supply excellent material: and as the Hong-Kong authorities require Mr. Creagh to be in China in April with his men, I trust His Honor will order all possible delay in this matter to be avoided.
From T. II. Thornton Esquire, Secretary to Government Punjab, to Major G. Hutchinson, Inspector General of Police Punjab, No. 104 dated 24th January 1867.
* From Supreme Govern. January 1807, with two
ment, No. 127, dated 7th
Reply to No. 157 dated 14th instant, regarding the enlistment of Punjabees for Judicial Department. employment in the Hong-Kong Police, (the original enclosures of which are returned); forwards copy of further correspondence on the subject, as marginally* detailed; and requests that he will authorize Mr. Creagh at once to enter into provisional engagements with men prepared to volunteer for service in China, whether now in the Force or out of it, on the terms therein indicated; including in his arrragements the number of Non-Commissioned Officers agreed to by the Hong-Kong Government.
enclosures.
From E. C. Bayley, Esquire, Secy. to the Government of India, Home Department, to T. H. Thornton Esquire, Secretary to Government Punjab, No. 127, dated 7th January 1867.
I AM directed to forward, for the information of His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, the accompanying copies of a lotter from the Governor of Hong- Home Department.
Kong, and the reply thereto, and to request that careful enquiry
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